Barbara Jean Gardner

Barbara Gardner, 82, of Florence, passed away peacefully at Commander Nursing Center on October 7, 2020, while under McLeod Hospice care.  Born on August 6, 1938, she was the fifth and youngest child of William and Mamie Tobias of Sardis, Georgia.  Due to her mother’s untimely death when she was an infant, the family moved to Olanta, SC, where Barbara and her siblings were raised by her foster parents, Charlie and Melissa Hicks. 

Barbara graduated from Olanta High School and worked at Electromotive in Florence and later at General Electric in Florence, where she retired in the mid 1990’s.  She was a fine Christian lady who knew her God well and had faith that a better life was awaiting her after this life. 

Barbara is preceded in death by two brothers, Roy and Franklin; two sisters, Christine and Willie Alice; her husband, Ernest Gardner of Florence and a son, Barry Gardner of Florence.

She is survived by a son, Eric Gardner and a niece, Miriam Floyd, both of Florence. 

“She was considered by the staff of Commander Nursing Home to be one of the most loved and considerate residents they ever had and to that effect I would like to thank the Commander family and staff for all of the compassion and love they showed my mother during her ten year stay with them.  I would also like to thank McLeod Hospice for allowing my mother the opportunity to have a peaceful and humane passing.  I will miss my mother and it is my sincere hope she is experiencing a better life now and that one day I can see her and the rest of my departed family in another time and another place”.       Eric Gardner

A private family Inurnment will be held at a later date in Bethany Cemetery.  Cain Calcutt Funeral Home is honored to serve the Gardner family. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Florence Area Humane Society. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jean Gardner, please visit our floral store.