Loretta Taylor Gardner, born January 5, 1940 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Forest and Ruth (Walton) Taylor. She passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024 at her home. A 1959 graduate of Portsmouth High School, Loretta was a popular student and participated in social activities and loved playing volleyball for the ‘Trojans.’ She was married toContinue Reading
Loretta Taylor Gardner, born January 5, 1940 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Forest and Ruth (Walton) Taylor. She passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024 at her home.
A 1959 graduate of Portsmouth High School, Loretta was a popular student and participated in social activities and loved playing volleyball for the ‘Trojans.’
She was married to David Rodney Gardner for 63 years and had two children, David Rodney Gardner Jr. and Tonia Jones. Being a proud Navy wife, her family followed her husband’s career until his retirement. At this time her family settled down in Forest Park, Ohio.
Loretta and Rodney graciously accepted niece Yvette Vega and nephew Richard Taylor (Poncho) into their home and raised them as their own children without any reservations and provided them support and direction as young teens. Yvette (Hector) also became her medical supporter.
Loretta enjoyed her career stop at Cincinnati Financial Center and she also embarked on a career with Mary Kay Cosmetics.
Kary Lane was the “go to home” for all the cousins from teen to adulthood. Their doors were never known to be locked.
Loretta was preceded in passing, by her parents Forest Taylor and Ruth Walton Taylor, spouse David Rodney Gardner Sr., Son David R. Gardner Jr., brothers Gerald and Garland Taylor, and sisters Betty Ann Watts and Olla Lee Williamson.
She is survived by two sisters, Annette Saunders and June Wilburn. Also surviving her daughter Tonia Jones (John), grandsons Kevin David Cobb, Christopher Cobb, and Cameron Cobb, great granddaughters Cyleigh, Kayelnn, Khalessia Cobb and great grandson Christopher Cobb Jr., Also, daughter/niece Yvette Vega(Hector), granddaughters Shayla Hudgins, Bianca Hudgins, Cheyenne Vega and grandson LeRon Hudgins, great granddaughters, Jayla Hudgins, Kimora Taylor, and Aria. Also, son/nephew Richard Taylor (Poncho).
It should be noted, she had numerous nieces and nephews, certainly with too many to name, however, known to all as Aunt Loretta, all were welcomed into her home and heart.
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