Rodney Ray Gardner

 Rodney Ray Gardner, 57, of Elm City passed away on the evening of January 21, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1967, to Grace and Leland Gardner. 

Celebration of Life will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2025, at Joyner's Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson with the family receiving friends and family directly following the service.

 Rodney was born premature in a time when medical advancements were not what they are today. His twin sister passed away just days after birth, but Rodney was a fighter and refused to give up. Not only was he born several months too early, but he was also born club footed. As he grew, he had surgery to fix his feet thanks to help from the Shriner's Club. The same Shriner's made him King of the Shriner's Bowl when he was a young man, and that was an honor he was always very proud to have held. 

Rodney worked for Stephenson Millwork for over thirty years and was a master of his craft. When it came to woodworking, Rodney could do it all. He also had a knack for mechanics and enjoyed doing that kind of work on occasion in his spare time. His favorite pastime was just enjoying a nice night in his man cave with the TV on and his beloved wife, Joy Gardner, by his side. 

Rodney married Joy on September 14, 2019. He loved her deeply and they built a beautiful life together in Elm City with their two beloved dogs, Nugget and Nate, who were also his favorite sidekicks. They have enjoyed many trips to the beach together over the years, which was one of his favorite places in the world. If you found him at the beach with his wife by his side, he was a happy man. Joy will always cherish the life they made together and the deep love and memories they shared. 

His two daughters call him their hero, he was and will always remain their best friend. Rodney loved his two "baby girls" fiercely and always enjoyed their weekly dinner nights as a family. He never missed a day of talking to and checking on both of them. They're grateful they were able to take several beach trips with him and Joy this summer and hold those memories extra close. They are going to miss their hero, and in their eyes, the one man in the world who could fix anything they needed from broken hearts to broke down cars.

 Rodney is survived by his wife, Joy Gardner; two daughters, Amber Gardner (and granddog, Astrid), Leslie Lauren Robbins (and his son-in-law Miller.); step-children, Mallory Walston (and Aaron) and their children, Luke and Chase, and Brian Glover (and Janie) and their daughter, Liza Grace; his “sissy”, Lynn Summerlin (and Johnny); brother, Brian “Peanut” Gardner (and Beck); nephews, Wayne Summerlin (and Christy), Brad Gardner (and Kim) and Travis Wethington (and Mandy); nieces, Danielle Hoerter (and Ryan),Kerry Shankle (and David), and Jeslyn Bunn (and Austin) as well as many cousins, great nieces, and great nephews whom he loved and shared many great memories with.

 Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Leland and Grace Gardner; twin sister, Rhonda Faye; brother, Jesse Gardner and his niece, Teri Summerlin. Flowers are welcome or in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital in memory of Rodney at PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or at lovetotherescue.org. 

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.