Pinetops - 

Rachel Varnell Gardner, 86, passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at her home in Edgecombe County. She was born July 14, 1934, daughter of the late Albert Thomas Varnell and Mattie Wallace Varnell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lindsay Daniel Gardner; siblings and their spouses, Marvin Varnell (Marie), Mary Alice Thompson (Wilbur), Erlene Champion (Harold), and Vonnie Webb (Brooks). 

She is survived by her sons, Larry Gardner (Wilhelmina) and Johnnie Gardner, both of Pinetops; daughters, Louise Gardner Hollifield (Donald) of Mill Spring, and Emily Joyce Gardner Turner (Paul) of Tarboro; grandchildren, Patti Thomas, Brooks Hollifield (Amanda), Courtney Hollifield Owens (Ryan), Donna Hollifield Zazenski (Paul), Jacob Turner (Leah), Caleb Turner, and Jonathan Turner; great-grandchildren, Dempsey Thomas, Grace and Jackson Hollifield, Reagan and Ava Owens, Calen, Cora Raye, and Davis Zazenski, and Elijah and Isaiah Turner; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended relatives. 

A service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Faith Baptist Church, 4590 Faith Baptist Church Road, Pinetops, NC 27864. Internment will follow at the Varnell Family Cemetery, 4266 Faith Baptist Church Road, Pinetops, NC 27864. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service beginning at 12:30 pm.