Peggy Juanita Gardner

Peggy Juanita Harris Gardner, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home on
Sunday, October 5, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on September 23, 1934, in Alexander City,
Alabama, Juanita was the daughter of Woodrow Wilson Harris and Irene Yates Harris.
Juanita met her husband, Harold OLs Gardner, at the University of Alabama in 1955, and they
were married the following year. Together, they shared 63 years of marriage filled with faith,
friendship, laughter, and devoLon to family.
Juanita is survived by her children: Maia (Gregg) BoVemiller of CharloVe, North Carolina; Rich
(Roxanne) Gardner of Darien, Illinois; and Thomas (Jacqueline) Gardner of Birmingham,
Alabama; as well as her cherished grandchildren: Lena (MaV) Hepburn, Alan Gardner II, Meg
(Phokham) Khamlue, Muriah (partner Stephen Rankin) BoVemiller, Lewis (Ingrid) Gardner, and
Caroline Gardner. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold; her parents,
Woodrow and Irene Harris; her sister Marlene Wolfe, her brother Jack Harris, and her eldest
son, Mark Alan Gardner, Sr.
Juanita's life was defined by compassion, service, and a deep appreciaLon for beauty and
nature. She found joy in her gardens and in the company of children, both her own and those
she nurtured through her professional and volunteer work. A Registered Nurse, Juanita
graduated from St. Vincent's School of Nursing and completed her pediatric training and
internship at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham while aVending classes at UAB. She served as
a pediatric nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham and Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland,
Washington, where her kindness and gentle spirit comforted countless children and families.
A lifelong volunteer, Juanita gave her Lme generously to children's programs and the arts. She
especially loved working with elementary school art programs, sharing her passion as the "Class
Picture Lady" who introduced students to arLsts and their masterpieces. She was acLve in her
community through the Glen Ellyn Garden Club and The Birmingham Red Hat Ladies Club,
where her creaLvity and warmth made her a treasured friend.
Juanita's faith was steadfast throughout her life. She grew up aVending the Methodist Church
in Alexander City and later became a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in
Birmingham.
She will be remembered as a woman of strong mind and character, known for her integrity,
grace, and generosity of spirit. Her legacy lives on in the family she loved so deeply and the lives
she touched through her service to others.
A graveside service and interment will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at
Alabama NaLonal Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama. Friends and family are invited to gather
from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a brief remembrance prior to interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donaLons to UAB St. Vincent's FoundaLon in Juanita's
memory.