Louis Gardner

Louis Gardner was born to the union of Ralph Sr. and Ada Gardner on July 28, 1923 in Norwood, Ohio. He was the sixth of 11 children; eight of his siblings preceded him in death. Louis Gardner departed this life on March 21, 2012.
SCHOOL
Louis attended Allison Street Elementary School, then went on to Norwood High School through the 11th grade. He later graduated from Robert A. Taft Night School. Louis attended school for refrigeration and air conditioning.
MILITARY
Louis Gardner was one of the few and the proud. In the year of 1943, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Corporal Louis Gardner was honorably discharged on January 31, 1946. Louis served in World War II.
FAMILY
On February 14, 1946, Louis married Mildred Hubert, his first love (who preceded him in death); daughter of Bessie Weaver and Henry Hubert of Covington, Kentucky. To this union, there were four children: Lois Mae, who preceded him in death, Jacqueline Jeanette, Marva ?Toni? and Denise Gardner.
CHURCH
Louis attended Mount Zion at the age of 5. There he worked as a Sunday School teacher, then became assistant to the Superintendent, then on to Superintendent. He later moved his membership to Quinn Chapel AME Church where he worked with the Men?s Ministry.
EMPLOYMENT
Louis was always a hard worker. He worked with his father as a young man, and also other jobs here and there. Upon returning from the Marine Corps, he was hired as a garage person for the City of Cincinnati where he worked for six years. He was promoted to Sanitation Driver where he worked for seven years. During the next 28 years, he held the position as a supervisor. After 41 years of employment with the City of Cincinnati, he retired on January 1, 1990.
LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT
After retiring, he enjoyed traveling and often spending his winter in Hawaii. He loved watching sports, especially football on a Sunday evening, while sitting in his favorite chair. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took them to Mr. Crooms to piano practice, went to their school events, took them on various summer vacations and enjoyed rewarding them for their academic accomplishments. He was known for making a great breakfast with homemade fried apples. Whenever there was a family gathering, he was always asked to make one of his delicious fruit pies. Tuesday mornings were set aside for time with his sisters, Betty and Gertrude, and other family members having breakfast. In his later years, he spent countless hours writing. By the year 2011, he had become the author of Mama ?N? Em, which tells of his reflections of life as he saw it growing from a child to an adult.
Louis Gardner was proud to have lived to see a fifth generation in his family. He was a loving brother, a proud father, the best Uncle Louis, and Granddaddy to many, and a friend to others. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live forever through his family.
CHERISHED MEMORIES
He leaves to cherish his memories: three daughters, Jacqueline (D. Rayford) Bell, Marva Johnson and Denise Sweeten; two sisters, Betty Marbly and Gertrude Hall; nine grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; a special friend, Marchelle Henderson; granddaughter, De Asha Long; his two long time friends, Frank Wallace and Clarence Johnson; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.