Carrie Odell Bell Gardner passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the age of 88. She was a resident of Chandler, AZ having moved there from Montgomery, AL in 2017. Carrie was born on May 20, 1931 in Shorter, AL and was the daughter of Eddie and Luebirtha Bell. She married Theodore Gardner on May 5, 1953 in Detroit, MI and was married for 23 years. Carrie was a Licensed Practical Nurse for more than sixty years and was acknowledged for her service by the Alabama Board of Nursing. She ultimately retired from nursing in 2013. Carrie enjoyed keeping up with current affairs and politics. She would have long conversations with family and friends about the direction she felt the world was going and had very strong opinions about our current society. She loved listening to her music while she would be doing her exercises. Carrie was also known for her freshly made from scratch Orange Cake. But the one thing that she enjoyed the most was working the lotto numbers. She would talk hours about what she would do with the winnings if she ever won. But for all who have ever had the pleasure to be in her presence will always know her for kindness, love, patience, and thoughtfulness. She had a gift for making you feel better even on your darkest days with just the right amount of humor.
Carrie is survived by her daughter Varlon Gardner, son Nathaniel Gardner, and son Earl Gardner. She always said, “I don’t care if you stay together, all I want to be is a grandma” as she was blessed with six grandchildren, Shanice Gardner, Bryce Gardner, Nathaniel Chase Gardner, Taylor Jones, Christian Gardner, and Dante Gardner. A bigger blessing was her three great-grandchildren, Jaden Lacey, Avery Lacey, and Jordan Parks. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Marian Cawthon, Jacqueline Gardner, and La Monica Gardner. Carrie was one of ten children, she is survived by one sister Daisy Lowe, her brothers, Eddie Bell Jr. and Ray Bell. Six siblings preceded her in death, Victoria Blackmon, Mariah Roland, John Bell, Edith Fowler, Robert Bell, and Ruby Spencer.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Heritage Hall at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
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