Garner Max Gardner

Garner Max Gardner, age 75, of Baxley died Wednesday, March 5, 2014 in the St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah.


Mr. Gardner was born August 13, 1938 in Appling County to the late Willie Roy "Bill" Gardner and the late Marie Juanita Altman Gardner. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of The Appling County Exchange Club & the Georgia Press Association and recipient of various awards & recognitions including the Golden Club Award for 50 years GPA and the Freedom Bell Award. He was a retired newspaper publisher of the Baxley News-Banner. He was preceded in death by brothers, J. L. Gardner & Willie Gardner.


Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Helen Jones Gardner of Baxley; sons, Rev. Freddy (Lynn) Gardner of Broxton; Tim (Melanie) Gardner & Jamie (Amy) Gardner both of Baxley; sisters, Betty Beavin of Dallas and Wilma (Darvin) Spell of Baxley; brother, Tommy (Renee) Gardner of Crawford; grandchildren, Matthew (Carrie) Gardner of Baxley, Joshua (Rebecca) Gardner of Baxley, Rachel (Joshua) Landmon of Baxley, Ryan (Katie) Gardner of Baxley, Meagin (Keaton) Sasser of Alma, Cole Gardner of Baxley, and Jacob Gardner of Baxley; and six great grandchildren, Mattie Gardner, Cooper Gardner, Aiden Landmon, Hollis Gardner, Hadlee Gardner, and Hudson Gardner.


Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8th at 10:30 a.m. from Midway Baptist Church with Rev. Marty Anderson, Rev. Wayne Williamson, Rev. Michael Beecher, & Rev. Ronnie Rentz officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.


Mr. Gardner will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.


Visitation will be held Friday evening, 6-8:30 p.m., at Midway Baptist Church.


Active pallbearers: Matthew Gardner, Joshua Gardner, Ryan Gardner, Keaton Sasser, Joshua Landmon, Chris Floyd, Cole Gardner, & Jacob Gardner.


Honorary pallbearers: the Deacons of Midway Baptist Church & their wives, Dr. & Mrs. Orlando Fernando, Charles Coley, Donald & Lorene Hunter, Joann Beecher, Helen Samardjich, Ronald Bullard, Chad Bullard, Diane Dyal, Billy & Patricia O'Berry, Wanda Ammons, Lloyd Gunter, Alex Johnson, Charlie Stuckey, Butch Barfield, Johnny & Lillian Aycock, Helen Robinson, Gene & Peggy Lott, Marvin & Brenda Callaway, Chuck Nails, Lewis Parker, and all past & present employees of the Baxley News-Banner.


Musical Selections by: Rev. Billy Gardner and the Midway Baptist Church Choir accompanied by Danny Smith.


Remembrances may be made to Midway Baptist Youth Fund 174 Midway Church Rd. NW Baxley, GA 31513.


Funeral arrangements for Garner Max Gardner, 75, of Baxley are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.