Town-Donna Ann Gardner, 45, transitioned from this life to her Eternal Home Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019.
Donna was born Dec. 19, 1973, in Bluefield, WV, to the late Mattie Louise Gardner and Joseph M. Johnson who resides in Columbus, OH.
She was preceded in death by her mother; grandmother, Mattie Lou Wallace; brother, Jermaine Holland; uncles, Luther Gardner, Jr., Rev. Paul and Harry Wallace; and nephew, Shareef Pitzer.
Donna graduated from Bluefield High School Class of ’92; and was a graduate of Bluefield State College Class of ’97. She received her Masters Degree from The University of Phoenix in 2004. She had applied and was enrolled for the 2019 fall semester at the Good News School of Ministry in Covington, VA.
After graduating college, she began a career in banking at The First Community Bank in Bluefield where she was employed for over 10 years, she continued at the First National Bank in Ronceverte. She also worked at Greenbrier Medical Arts and was recently employed at Home Health Care in Lewisburg.
Those who knew Donna found her to be a woman full of courage and full of life as she enhanced and instilled love, peace and harmony to all she met. Above all, she loved the Lord Jesus Christ, her family and church family. She had a love for reading and journaling. She published her first book, “7 Keys to A Strong Relationship” in October 2018 and Part II is scheduled to be released on Nov. 6, 2019.
She joined and became a member of New Vision Baptist in White Sulphur Springs Nov. 9, 2012, and was baptized Dec. 21, 2012, in Covington VA. She was a faithful and dutiful servant, serving under the tutelage of Pastor Kathie D. Holland in many capacities, namely: Secretary to the Pastor; Financial Secretary; Women’s Ministry Director, Sunday School Teacher, Wednesday Morning Prayer Warrior, Trustee, and an astute Bible Study student.
Those left to celebrate Donna’s spirit and legacy are her sisters, Charissa Bolton and Tamika Gardner of Bluefield; brother, Ralph James Holland, Jr., Bluefield; aunts, Willie Marie Gardner, Princeton, and Mary Lewis, Bluefield; uncles, Richard and William Wallace, Brooklyn, NY; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; her spiritual mother, Pastor Kathie D. Holland; special friends, Joe Sharp, and Margaret Cox Lopez; “Golden Girls,” Venise LeGrande and Rhonda Goode-Cosby; and her godson, Alex Lopez.
Donna will be greatly missed! Her daily 2019 affirmation was Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Viewing was held at Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg, Thursday evening, Sept. 5.
Funeral service will be held Friday, Sept. 6 at The House of Prayer, 214 Church Street, Bluefield, at noon (viewing one hour prior to service). Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Bluefield, WV.
Online guestbook may be signed at www.morganfh.net.