Obituary of Moody Harrison Gardner

MOODY HARRISON (REX) GARDNER, JR., 84, died Wednesday, November 22, at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the husband of Marlene S. Gardner and father of Meredith Ann Gardner. Born August 28, 1933, in Holland, Va., he was the son of the late Mae Rexrode and Moody Harrison Gardner, Sr. A graduate of Holland High School, Mr. Gardner earned an AA degree from Chowan Junior College in Murfreesboro, N.C., and a BA degree from Wake Forest University. He attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a M.Div. degree, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a MSM degree. He did additional graduate work at Lynchburg College and the University of Virginia. In 1957, Mr. Gardner was licensed to preach by the Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Franklin, Va.A dedicated teacher and church musician, Mr. Gardner touched hundreds of lives through his passion for music and education. He retired from the Campbell County Public School System where he served from 1967-1994, teaching general music, chorus, band, and history. After retirement, he was a substitute teacher for several years. He shared his considerable musical talents with numerous area churches, serving as minister of music at Rivermont Avenue Baptist, Madison Heights Baptist, Hunting Creek Baptist in Big Island, College Hill Baptist, and Sandusky Baptist churches. He was serving at First Baptist Church at the time of his death. A president of the Lynchburg Choristers' Guild, Mr. Gardner was a board member of the Music Division of the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center and also a board member and president of the Lynchburg Community Concert Series. He is survived by his wife of 56 years and daughter; a sister, Gail G. Allen and her husband, Neil Allen of Carrsville, Va.; a brother-in-law, Wilford Stackhouse of Louisville, Ky.; and numerous cousins. A memorial service will be held Monday, November 27, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church, 1100 Court St., Lynchburg, with Rev. Paul Dakin and Chaplain Alister McPherson officiating. Following the service, a reception will be held in the church social hall. The family will receive friends Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 2-4 P.M. at Diuguid Wiggington Road Chapel. Entombment will take place Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. in Fort Hill Memorial Park. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to First Baptist Church, 1100 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504. Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory, Wiggington Road Chapel, 385-8900, is servicing the family. On-line condolences may be sent to www.diuguidfuneralservice.com.