Margaret Smith Gardner

Margaret (Marti) Smith Gardner, 56, of Kingston, TN died at her home October 30, 2009, with her family at her side, after a hard fought battle with cancer. Marti graduated from Oak Ridge High School and attended Middle Tennessee State University. Marti’s career was spent as an independent manufacturer’s sales representative, working 15 years for Red Oak sportswear traveling throughout the Southeast. Marti was born December 24, 1952 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to Newell D. Smith, who preceded her in death, and to Sarah Messer Smith. Besides her mother, she is survived by her devoted husband of eleven years, Barry Lynn Gardner; two sisters, Louise R. Smith of Ridgetop, Tennessee, and Sheila Gregory of Hendersonville, Tennessee; step-daughters and friends, Tracey Gardner of Los Angeles, California and Stephanie (and Kent) Bailey of Kingston, TN; grandchildren, Madalyn Maye and Miller Bailey, sister-in-law Ann (and Mike) Givens, and brother-in-law Kevin (and Tonia) Gardner. She was a favorite aunt of five nephews and one niece, and one great-nephew. She leaves a host of cousins, work associate “buddies”, and friends including her best friends Sherri Carr and Tricia Everett. Marti loved flowers and gardening, traveling with her husband, her little Yorkies, Maggie and Lilly and her beloved University of Tennessee Vols. Visitation will be on Saturday November 7, 2009 at noon at Kingston United Methodist Church of Kingston, TN with service following at 1:00 PM with Rev. Don Morris. Following the funeral service, at the lakeside home of Marti and Barry, there will a celebration of her life for close friends and family. The family would like to thank Rev. Don Morris, Sue Lynn Johnson and Marlene Raustler of Kingston United Methodist Church, Dr. Bruce Allsop and staff of Trinity Medical Associates, Dr. Richard Grapski and his staff at the Thompson Cancer Center, Elizabeth Newcomb, Vicki West, and Shirley Bailey of Home Healthcare of East Tennessee and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Call toll free 1-877-465-6636, or donate online at www.komen.org You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Marti at her memorial website at www.kykerfuneralhome.com.865-376-6531. Kyker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

Margaret Smith Gardner

December 24, 1952 - October 30, 2009