ALMA GARDNER

PARMA -- Alma Gardner, 91, of Parma died Saturday, April 29, 1995, at Rose Skill Care in Jonesboro, Ark.

She was born Feb. 3, 1904, at Lutesville, the daughter of Roswell M. and Sarah Tankersley Crites. She married Pascal Gardner, who preceded her in death.

Gardner was a member of the Parma United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the Lucy Jefferson Lewis Chapter National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution in New Madrid, and was past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Malden.

She received her education at Lutesville High School, Will Mayfield College of Marble Hill, Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri at Columbia.

She taught in the Parma Elementary School and Parma High School, and substituted at schools in the surrounding area. A graduate in piano, she gave private piano lessons and had been musically active in the Parma Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, and other community organizations.

After the death of her sister, Alta Crites Lucy, Gardner established the Alma Crites Gardner and the Alta Crites Lucy scholarships in the College of Education of Southeast Missouri State University. She later was inducted into the Southeast Missouri State University Hall of Fame.

Survivors include two nieces, Dr. Carolyn Lucy Tyree of Jonesboro, Ark., and Dr. Patricia Lucy Youngdahl of Little Rock, Ark., and several great-nieces and great-nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband and a sister.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau, where funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Neil Stein and the Rev. Stella Turner will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.