Florrie R Gardner Mitchell

Florrie R Gardner Mitchell, 82, of Ridgeland, South Carolina passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at her residence. Arrangements are entrusted to Allen Funeral Home. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our tribute wall.

Sister Florrie Rose Gardner the daughter of the late Solomon “Buster” Williams and Mrs. Flossie Goodwin Williams, was born July 29, 1939 in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Florrie was educated in the public schools of Jasper County. At an early age, she became a member of Zion Oak Grove Baptist Church. She used her God given talents serving on the Charity Board and singing on the Senior Choir. 
Florrie resided in New York City for many years. Returning to South Carolina, she was joined in Holy Matrimony on June 26, 1960, to the late Reverend Harold Gardner, Sr. Seven children were born to this union of 40 years. Two preceded her in death, Adrienne Cuyler and Juliet D. Watson.
In April of 2003, Florrie Gardner was joined in Holy Matrimony to Deacon Stephenson Mitchell, God put them together for 11 years, until Deacon Mitchell went home to be with the Lord in 2015. 
Florrie, aka as “Mama Rose” was employed as a daycare provider, bus driver (the only woman I knew who could handle a bus the way she did), domestic worker, cook and substitute teacher. 
During her life Mama Rose loved to travel. Her specialty was cruises and visiting her children. She resided at her resident until March of 2020, then she moved to Columbia, SC to live with her granddaughter, Adrienne B. Nickerson until October 2021. She than relocated back to Ridgeland, SC where she resided with her daughter, Cathy until December 16, 2021. She moved to the Oaks in Beaufort, SC, a memory care facility. Staff and residents called her Mama Rose. Mama Rose brought laughter to all she met with her singing and dancing. Her singing and smart jokes also touched her hearts of the medical staff in ICU at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. 
On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, surrounded by family at her residence, God called Sister Florrie Rose Gardner-Mitchell from labor to reward she is now resting in the bosom of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In addition to her parents, husband and two children she was preceded in death by: her siblings, Abraham Williams, Jr., Emily Jennings and Queen Ester Heyward; one grandchild: Jerome David Gardner. “Mama Rose” will be missed by those who knew and loved her. 
Precious memories she leaves to her children: Evangelist Cathy G. Morgan of Ridgeland, SC, Anthony (Dantha) Gardner of Columbus, GA, Associated Pastor Harold (Shannon) Gardner, Jr. of Hopkinsville, KY, Michelle Gardner of Ridgeland, SC and Minister Keith (Candice) Gardner of Fredericksburg, VA; one brother: Michael Williams (which he also called her Mama); Mama Rose raised three granddaughters: Adrienne Byrd Nickerson, Monique Fogle and Vanessa Dickens and one grandson, Alex B. Gardner; two brothers in law: Perry (Shirley) Gardner of Duluth, GA and Wilbur (Eldora) Gardner of Ridgeland, SC; sister in law: Lucy Gardner of Virginia; nineteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren; three goddaughters: Anna Dupree, Stephanie Rucker both of Ridgeland, SC and Kim Washington of Hardeeville, SC; to include a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

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