Bobby Gardner

                                                                                       Obituary It matters not how much time I have walked upon my savior’s earth, but that I have touched, been apart of, or made a difference in someone’s life. My dash allowed me to love and receive love from myfamily and friends, grow in leadership and experience Christ in a personal way!! I lived my life accordingto the will of God and I left this world in peace!!Bobby M. Gardner arrived according to God’s plan and destiny November 29, 1964, to Shirley Miller andBobby Wade in Kings Mountain NC. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Wade, and daughterMarquita Marla Massey.Bobby transitioned to his heavenly father in peace Sunday, October 20, 2019, at his home surrounded byhis family.Bobby was reared in a home that believed in salvation, faith in God and love for the word of God. As achild he attended Macedonia Baptist Church and had a foundation of knowing what God could do forthose who love him and with that understanding of Jesus Christ, he accepted Christ as his Lord andSavior. As an adult, in February 1997 he rededicated his life to Christ and joined University Park BaptistChurch, now known as The Park Church under the leadership of Bishop Claude R. Alexander Jr. At thePark Church, Bobby served as an Armor Bearer to Pastor Alexander, participated in the Men’s Ministry,Van Ministry and the Security Team. Serving in the church matured Bobby’s spiritual walk with Christand provided him with a strong foundation of faith.Bobby graduated from South Mecklenburg High School in 1983 and was accepted into Johnson C. SmithUniversity but later transferred to Central Piedmont Community College where he obtained hiscertification to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. He later obtained his North Carolina Class B with PEndorsement/Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) May 1998 and his North Carolina Class A CommercialDriver’s License (CDL) August 2011 to establish his career in the trucking industry. In 2017 hesuccessfully completed the required technical examination and task evaluation to be internationallyrecognized as a competent Certified Specialist in Fiber Optics Technology (CSFO). The Society forTechnical Excellence took great pride in honoring Bobby a certified Technician and his name wasentered into their permanent database and is available for recognition by officials in the Industry.Servanthood for Bobby reached beyond the church walls and into each organization he worked forwithin the community. Bobby maintained a strong work ethic having worked in various industries fromthe medical field with Presbyterian Hospital as an Operation Room Nurse Assistant, a CDL Truck Driverwith Southern Concrete Materials, and Cemex Concrete Company. Having a desire for advancement hebecame the Customer Logistics Manager and later a Lead Driver with Ryder. Due to his passion forhelping people, Bobby started working for AT& T in 2016. But even at work, his love for Christ wasdemonstrated in that he always made time for those who needed him. Bobby provided a listening ear, ascripture, and even a prayer. Bobby wasn’t one who participated in gossip, he wanted to put his hours inand share some laughs. While working at AT& T Bobby joined the Communication Workers of America3603 Union as the BSW Area Vice President for the local union and fought for the rights of his co-workers. He actively engaged with the union so that others had the right to fair wages and benefits.Bobby believed in supporting those who ultimately felt as if they had no voice. Even when his healthbegan to fail, he was concerned more about others than himself. To know Bobby is to know his love for football and his undying devotion to his beloved Dallas Cowboys,and college basketball team UNC Tarheels. Bobby was a true sports enthusiast so, whether his team wonor lost there was no wavering of his support or the normal banter of talking smack. Bottom line, Bobbyloved his teams, but also enjoyed a good game of pool and ping pong.Bobby also had a love for fashion, and he was meticulous about his attire. Bobby was a sharp dresserand never stepped out of the house until he was coordinated from head to toe. It was hard to find himwithout a hat that accompanied his outfit of choice. Being razor-sharp was important to him, not justwith his clothes, but with his vehicles also. Having a dirty car bothered him to his core, so his attentionto detail launched his detailing business. Anointed Hands Mobile Detailing Business was never a hustlefor him, but an act of loyalty to his many customers. His Business Motto was “Cleaning Beyond theNatural”. Bobby took great pride in seeing people appreciate the work he performed on their vehiclesand receiving extra tips never hurt his feelings.When asked what he would like to be remembered for, he replied: “I want people to remember that Iloved the Lord, loved my family, loved serving Pastor Alexander and that I fought until the end.” Hisfavorite scripture that he recited effortlessly was Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;save me, and I shall be saved: for thou are my praise.In any conversation with Bobby, you could count on him talking about the Lord, sports, and the love forhis family. Being with his family meant everything to him. When asked to travel to Kings Mountain,Hickory or anywhere he went with excitement and joy to the many cookouts, birthday celebrations, andeven funerals because it was time spent with family. His family meant the world to him and brought himgreat joy.Bobby, affectionately called “Marlow” by his family, leaves to cherish his rich legacy of love and faith inGod; his beloved Mother Shirley Miller who he affectionately called his “Big Baby” and Stepfather, Randall“Pop” Miller. His beloved Children, Darius “Dee” Mitchell, Sonya” Tranese” Mitchell, Chloe Wilson,Bobby “BJ” Gardner II, and Justin Gardner. His Precious Grandchildren, LaMya Mitchell, Kyrie Mitchell,and Kaiden Mitchell. His Cherished Siblings, Rodney “Carvin” Gardner, Tony Wade, Eric Wade, ChadBess, Tracy “Shell” Wade, and Danyeal “Dawnie” Wade. His Close Friends, Tamala Bullard, Terry (Sheila)Mack, Freda Lester, Jeff (Kristy) Graham, Jeff Dixon, Edwin Smith, and James Newkirk. Bobby also leavesa host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Relatives and Friends.