Ms. Jacqueline Elaine Gardner

Ms. Jacqueline Elaine Gardner, 63, of Albany, Georgia departed this life on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at Victory of Albany, 3250 Sylvester Road, Albany, Georgia 31705.

Jacqueline Elaine Jones was born on Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida to Marie W. Jones and the late James A. Jones Sr. She departed this world on December 30, 2025, in Albany, Georgia. While many knew her as Jackie, her family lovingly called her Lane, a shortened version of her middle name.

Jackie attended public school in Bristol, Connecticut, where she spent much of her life before eventually relocating to Georgia with her mother in 2019. Throughout her life, she held various jobs, but she found true purpose in housekeeping while working at Phoebe Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia. Jackie was a light in every room, known for telling it straight like it is to anyone in her presence. Her honesty was bold, but her heart was warm. The younger people she worked with were drawn to her energy and spirit, often finding comfort and laughter in her presence.

Jackie loved music deeply. Gospel filled her home and her heart, with artists like Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, and Kirk Franklin always in rotation on Pandora. Her mornings were sacred, spent reading her daily devotional, studying her Bible, praying, and playing gospel music while cleaning and preparing for the day ahead. Though she loved every song, she could never quite remember the words, a trait that brought smiles to those who knew her well. Jackie also had a sweet tooth, especially for Skittles. She rarely made it through a work shift without something sweet close by.

Above all, what brought Jackie the greatest joy was her family. She was immensely proud of her children, Joshua and Jasmin, and her grandchildren, Armani, Marquel, and Jez'iryah. She spoke of them often and with deep pride, always eager to introduce them to anyone she knew. When her family came to visit, she made sure every moment mattered. It brought her exceptional joy when her son moved to Albany to be closer to her, a season that filled her heart with happiness.

Jackie is survived by her mother, Marie Jones of Albany, Georgia; her brother, Harold Jones, and his wife Debrah of New Hampshire; her son, Joshua Jones of Albany; her daughter, Jasmin Jones of Connecticut; her grandchildren, Armani, Marquel, and Jez'iryah of New Hampshire; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, James A. Jones Sr., and her brother, James A. Jones Jr.

Her brother, Douglas Jones, passed shortly after her death on January 5, 2026.

Meadows Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.