ODESSA GARDNER

SIKESTON -- Odessa Mae Gardner, 86, of Sikeston died Friday, Nov. 6, 1998, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

She was born Dec. 19, 1911, in Fayette County, Ala., to James Monroe White and Matie Blankenship. On May 22, 1930, she married James William Gardner, who survives.

She had been a custodian at Southwest Elementary School and a housewife.

Survivors include her husband; six sons, Robert E. Gardner of Sikeston, James D. Gardner of Columbus, Miss., Charlie G. Gardner of Anderson, Ind., Derrell D. Gardner of St. Charles, John M. Gardner of Smyra, Tenn., and William D. Gardner of Bowling Green, Ky.; two daughters, Virginia Deason of Blodgett and Martha Clements of Sikeston; two sisters, Velma Franks of Moline, Ill., and Eulene Hubbert of Fayette, Ala.; 35 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Two brothers, three sisters, a grandchild and great-grandchild preceded her death.

Visitation was Saturday at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. Services are at 10 a.m. Monday at Nauvoo Church of God in Nauvoo, Ala. Burial will follow in Living Faith Memorial Cemetery in Columbus, Miss.