Ruth Jackson Gardner “Kittye,” 85, earned her greatest reward Saturday, September 28, 2013, receiving refuge in God’s kingdom following a brief but valiant battle with cancer. A Jacksonville native, Ruth and her twin sister, Naomi, were born December 6, 1927 to William G. and Carrie (Martin) Jackson. The youngest of nine children, Ruth was educated in the public schools of Duval County, graduating from Old Stanton High (1945). Keeping with a rich family tradition and commitment to education recognized by Florida A & M University (FAMU), Ruth, along with each of her siblings, received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from FAMU, where she also held membership in the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

For 34 years, Ruth worked as a Social Studies teacher in Duval County, serving students at John E. Ford, where she was a member of the school’s first faculty, Susie Tolbert, Mary McLeod Bethune, R.V. Daniels, and Bayview elementary schools. While having great love for youth, her greatest love was her family which included her husband of 56 years, Freddie Gardner, who predeceased her in 2011; three children Freddie Bruce Gardner, Mildred Lynn Fields, and Marsha Ruth Oliver; and one beloved grandchild Joel Gardner Oliver.

Predeceased by her parents and siblings, Ruth is survived by her three children and grandson; godchild Angie Dixon; nieces and nephews including DeWayne Randolph; sisters-in-law Altemese Gardner and Hortense Lundy; and special classmates and friends including Bishop Rudolph and Estelle McKissick, Sr., Clarence Belton, and Bobbie Williams.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church (215 Bethel Baptist St., Jacksonville, Fla. 32202), where she held membership for 70 years, Bishops Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr. and Jr., pastors. Family members will receive friends Friday, October 4th during visitation at Bethel from 5 to 7 p.m., prior to a private ceremony of sorority rites administered by the Beta Alpha Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Entombment will follow memorial services at Edgewood Cemetery, 4519 Edgewood Dr.

The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to Bethel’s B.E.S.T. Academy Education Fund, 215 Bethel Baptist St., Jacksonville, FL 32202, First Coast Oncology Foundation, 10881 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223, or FAMU J.R.E. Lee Jacksonville Alumni Chapter, P.O. Box 43515, Jacksonville, FL 32203.Services entrusted to Funerals by T.S. Warden.

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