Helen Gardner

Helen E. Gardner, 82, a long time resident of Gulf Breeze, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 14, 2009, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born September 18, 1926, in Biloxi MS to the late James and Bonnie Entrekin, she is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Robert L. "Bob" Gardner Sr.; three grandchildren: Robyn Ponder, Bonnie Gardner, both of Pensacola, and Jennifer Ratliff of Birmingham AL; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by their only child, Robert L. "Bobby" Gardner Jr., also of Gulf Breeze. During her high school years, Helen was head Drum Majorette of the Biloxi High Marching Band. She also won the Mississippi State Twirling Championship. She is an alumnus of Perkinston Junior College in Perkinston MS, as well as Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where she received her degree in Education. Helen taught at Gulf Breeze Elementary School for 6 ½ years and at an American school in Libya, Africa. She also taught Sunday school for many years. Before retirement, Helen volunteered for 12 years at Gulf Breeze Hospital, as well as many hours at Samaritan Hands in Pensacola. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Pensacola. Funeral services and internment will be at Rose Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Gulf Breeze on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 11:00 AM with visitation by friends on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Services will be conducted by Dr. Barry Howard of First Baptist Church of Pensacola. Pallbearers will be Curtis Walker, Monte Barrow, Dr. Fred Evans, Capt. Frank Rush, Dr. Roger Mott, John Kizziah, Mitch Lamb, and Tony Gentry. Special thanks to Emerald Coast Hospice for Helen's palliative care.

Visitation

Visitation

Rose Lawn Funeral Home
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
6:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Rose Lawn Funeral Home
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Burial

Rose Lawn Cemetery
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563