Carolyn Gardner

Carolyn Smith Gardner 6/29/1922 4/8/2014 FOREST CITY - Carolyn Smith Gardner, age 91, of Forest City, died April 8, at Hospice House of Rutherford County. A native of Pawtucket, R.I., she moved with her husband to Marion, North Carolina in 1953 and settled in Forest City in 1963. Carolyn became involved in Republican politics in Charlotte and took on leadership roles in the party at the local, regional, and state levels, including the State Executive Committee for several years. She was honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest civilian honor. The Carolyn Smith Gardner Award for Republican Excellence was established and awarded annually by the Rutherford County Republican Party in her honor. A member of St Francis Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton, Carolyn was a former church secretary, member of the vestry, choir member and choir director. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Lawrence (Larry) and four children: Bill and wife Denise of Caroleen, Scott and wife Anne of Durham, Betty Gardner Underwood and husband Gerald Underwood of Monroe, and Kathy Gardner Dickson and husband Herb of Indian Trail; four grandchildren: Josh Gardner, Laura Gardner Neely, Eric Gardner, Drew Gardner and great-grandson Dylan Gardner. A memorial service will be held on Friday April 11 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Francis Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton with The Reverand Chris Beebe officiating. Immediately following will be a visitation in the St Francis Parish Hall and a private burial at Eternal Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Francis Episcopal Church, PO Box 46, Rutherfordton, NC 28139, or to Hospice House of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. Online guest register at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com McMahan's Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Gardner.