Marie Gardner

Marie Thomas Gardner, youngest daughter of ten children was born to the late Johnnie Lee McMillan and John Henry Thomas on January 2, 1946, in Pensacola, Florida. She was surrounded by her loving family when she was peacefully called home by our Heavenly Father on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Saint Lawrence Rehabilitation after a short illness.

Marie was educated in the Pensacola Public School System. In the early 60’s she relocated to Trenton, NJ with her daughter Sheren, and son Melvin. Marie married the late Leroy Gardner, and to this loving union, they welcomed their youngest son Christopher Lee Gardner. She was employed as a secretary in New York for many years.

Marie loved to dress and always had it together. Having a good time and making you laugh came easy for her, she loved her music and you would never go to her house and not find her in the kitchen frying chicken and making potato salad for you. She always made sure something was on her stove for anyone that stopped by. Her grandchildren loved going to Jones’ Penny Candy Store with her. She will be missed by so many.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Leola Thomas Brown, Mary Ethridge, Rosa Lee Thomas, Besslie Palmer, five brothers John Henry Thomas, Jr., Stonewall Thomas, Winfield Thomas, Willie Ed Thomas and Johnnie Thomas, all born in Camden, Alabama; as well as a host of half sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and cousins. She leaves to mourn her passing, three children; Sheren Alexander of Ewing, Melvin T. Thomas and Christopher Lee Gardner both of Hamilton; seven grandchildren; Demetrics S. Thomas (Missy), Darnell E. Thomas, Alicia S. Alexander, Shavonte Kamara (Mustapho), Shadae Thomas, Latrese Robinson, Savannah Hazel Williams, nine great grand-children; Tyshawn, Qayvon, Irvin, Mileanny, Nailah, Kizir, Nyima, Nori, Ishmael, sister (niece) kDonna Thomas Frazier, and half sisters

and brother Ammie Lee Thomas, Clara Louise Guyton, John Henry Thomas, and Mary Jane Haygood and three sister in laws; Marlene Thomas, Margrett J. Thomas and Loretta Thomas, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins; other relatives and friends.

Marie accepted Christ as her personal savior at a very early age. She knew and loved the Lord and was baptized at the Rock Of Ages Church in Pensacola, Florida. If she did not attend church regularly, she made sure that her children were there. She was a loving wife to Leroy Gardner and a beautiful mother. She loved her children and especially her grandbabies. She will be greatly missed for her humor, beautiful smile and loving heart.

From Your Children

Sleep on mommy, sleep on and take your rest, we will always love you dearly, but God loved you best.

Funeral service will be 11am Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Calvary Christian Fellowship Ministries, 611 Parkway Ave., Ewing, NJ 08618. Calling hour will be 10am until the time of service. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, NJ.

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