Jesse Donald "Tommy" Gardner Sr.

WINTON, NC - Jesse Donald "Tommy" Gardner, Sr., was born on March 15, 1942 in Tunis, NC to Catherine Helen Eure and Jesse Roosevelt Gardner. He died on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC surrounded by family who dearly loved him, leaving a long legacy of love, laughter, and many cherished memories behind.
He was married to the love of his life, Ruth Elizabeth Barnes for almost 65 years, spending all their lives together in the small town of Winton. Known as "Tommy" to family and friends and "DeDaddy" to his grandchildren, he was larger than life to his family. A consummate storyteller and counselor, he was well known for the life lessons and humor he brought to his family's lives.
Tommy loved to ride his Honda Goldwing and was blessed to ride for many years alongside his wife and friends. He enjoyed many years socializing with friends and family at Burger King. He loved to hunt and fish, and many of his stories originated from his outdoor adventures. Tommy had a deep faith in God. He was very blessed and loved to share and was generous to a fault.
He was preceded in death by his parents, close brother, Bobby G (killed in Vietnam), brother-in-law, Jimmy Etters, and his beloved dog, Princess.
Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife Ruth (better known as "MeMa" to their grandchildren), siblings; Earl Gardner (Louise) of Cary, NC, Gladys Etters of Winton, Ruth Rountree (Leon) of Eure, and Carolyn Gardner of Winton, along with his beloved children; Christina Griffiths (Joe) of Winton, Helen Cox (John) of Apex, NC, Jesse Gardner, Jr. (Beth) of Cape Charles, VA, and Joseph Gardner (Tamara) of Virginia Beach, VA, grandchildren; Aislinn Branch (Jesse), Candice Carr (Thomas), Joshua Cox (Rudy), Nicholas Cox (Michelle), Isaiah Cox (Anna), Taylor Gardner (Keem), and Autumn Gardner, great grandchildren; Jacob Branch (Mari), Layla Branch (Brian), Jackson Carr, Hayes Carr, Lorelai Cox, Julian Cox, Cordelia Cox, Oliver Cox, Leighton Cox, Reid Cox, and Aamir Adgerson, and one great great grandson and namesake, Coleson Tommy Outland. Also surviving are multiple nieces, nephews, extended family members, many friends, and his feline pet, Smokey.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC with funeral services at 2:00 PM, Friday, December 19, 2025 at Winton Baptist Church with Rev. Derik Davis officiating. There will be a private family burial.
Memorial donations may be made directly to Winton Baptist Church, PO Box 415, Winton, NC 27986 or online by clicking here.
Online condolences can be made at www.garrettsykesfs.com. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC, (252) 332-3122. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jesse, please visit our floral store.