James S. Gardner was born on June 16, 1953 to the late James Oliver and Nancy Baskerville Gardner in Brooklyn, New York. James peacefully transitioned into heaven on September 19, 2022 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina surrounded by his family. James graduated from St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in Math Education in 1992. James was a retired educator. He started and ended his teaching career in Mecklenburg County and also taught in Brunswick County and Lunenburg County. Before teaching, James worked for the correctional department in South Carolina and Virginia. He also worked at Southside Community Memorial Hospital, John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir Station and Fairfield Inn and Suites. Since retiring, James enjoyed volunteering at the local food bank and working for the Board of Elections in Boydton, Virginia. Teaching and coaching others was James’ passion, he spent the majority of his years in education teaching math and coaching basketball and track and field where he became known as “Mr. Gardner” during the school day and “Coach Gardner” after school. While at St. Paul’s College, some students called him “Daddy James” as he was older than most at the time but an inspiration to those that he encountered even on the college campus. James also began teaching Sunday School at Tabernacle of Zion in Lawrenceville, VA where most people called him “Elder Gardner” or “Elder James”. He inspired many people by his stories and the way he helped people to understand lessons. He and his wife ministered to couples of all ages, and he enjoyed seeing people thrive in their marriages and build strong families. Most recently, he enjoyed teaching and learning at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Chase City, Virginia where he not only taught Sunday School but he also enjoyed playing his bass guitar. When James wasn’t teaching, he enjoyed taking time out to go bowling, fishing, gardening and his favorite pastime was his aquariums filled with a variety of African cichlids.
James leaves to cherish his legacy to his loving wife, his partner, his wife of forty-five years, Elsa Gardner; two daughters, Nekeyha L. Davis (Nick), and Leah M. Gardner; two sons, James R. Gardner (Faith), and Michael B. Gardner (Giselle); eight grandsons, Immanuel, Isaiah, James, Carson, Luke, Aaron, Michael, and Noah; two granddaughters, Isabelle and Imani; his mother- in-law, Viola L. Clarke; his brother, Ronald Baskerville; his aunt, Jennie Mussenden; his “sister cousin” Darlene Lester; two special nieces, Rhonda McBride and Kristina Henry; three goddaughters, Shekinah, Jennifer and Jayla Millner; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other close relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy B. Gardner; his father, James O. Gardner; and his father-in-law, Luther A. Clarke.
A celebration of life for James Gardner will be held on October 15, 2022 at 11am at the Tabernacle of Zion in Lawrenceville, Virginia. The service will be streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/tozchurch/.
Wood Funeral Service is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed at www.woodfuneralservice.com