Ruth Young Gardner

Ruth Young Gardner, age 99, passed away peacefully at home, December 24, 2020.  Graveside services will be held Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Megargel Cemetery in Megargel under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

She was born January 20, 1921 in Megargel, Texas to the late Ida Mae Hayter and John A. Young. She was the seventh of nine children born to this family. She grew up in Megargel and her formative years were spent as a farm and ranch girl. 

November 28, 1937, she married the love of her life, her high school sweetheart, Reford Floyd Gardner, and they began a beautiful life together first in Borger and Olney and then in Graham where they raised their three children. Once their children were grown, they moved back to their childhood hometown of Megargel to enjoy many wonderful years of farm life. After a devastating house fire, they decided to move back to Graham for their retirement years to be near their daughter, Carolyn, and her family.

Her faith was the very core of her being. It influenced who she was and how she lived her life. Her faith provided her the joy of knowing that only God can control what happens and knowing that he waits for her with open arms. 

Ruth was a lifetime member of her beloved Methodist Church and Kum-Duble Sunday School Class. She was also a Samaritan.

She was immensely proud of her children and their spouses: Gail Gardner and wife Linda of Graham, Patrick Gardner and wife Dr. Orietta of Arkansas, and Carolyn and husband Kent Pettus of Graham.

Ruth was preceded in death by her daughter, Carolyn Gardner Pettus, in 2000, and by her husband, Reford, in 2002, after 64 years of marital bliss. Her love and devotion to her husband was unconditional and inspiring. 

She was the last surviving child of her eight siblings: Velma Lee Colgan, Morine Curry, L.C. Young, Bernice Brown, Mary Gene DeCordova, John A. Young, Patrick Young, and Rebecca Miller.

Survivors are her sons, Gail Gardner and wife Linda of Graham, and Pat Gardner and wife Orie of Arkansas; grandchildren Gayla Gardner of McKinney, Jennifer Ellis-McIrvin of New York, Jeremy Pettus of Graham, Jordan Pettus of Midland, John Gardner of San Antonio, and Lisa McCord of San Antonio; 9 great grandchildren, Ethan Ellis, Emily Ellis, Tessa Aller, Ashley Aller, Nick Aller, Kyler Pettus, Blake Pettus, and Mason Pettus; and 3 great great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the First Methodist Church, 700 Third St. Graham, Texas 76450, Samaritan Fund or to a favorite charity.