April 3, 1932 – November 2, 2019
Kathleen Sapp Gardner, 87, of Climax, GA, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2019 at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Grubbs and Rev. Kim Whitehead officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Forest Baptist Church Cemetery with Derek Shaw, Gardner Josey, Bert Nix, Billy Fletcher, Daniel Fewell, Steve Vaught, Luke Gardner and Michael Lynn serving as active pallbearers.
The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m., at Ivey Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Pine Forest Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 104 Pine Forest Road, Bainbridge, GA 39819.
Annie Kathleen Sapp was born April 3, 1932 in Climax, GA, the daughter of Levie and Annie Mae Nelson Sapp. She was a graduate of Climax High School, Class of 1949. Kathleen married Rufus William Gardner and they made their home in Climax. She was a member of Maranatha Baptist Church.
“Miss Kit” was known for keeping her yard in order. She spent many hours working in her flower beds for her own satisfaction but also the enjoyment of those roaming a country road. She enjoyed traveling with Betty and seemed to always have a bag packed for the beach or the mountains. “Miss Kit” was an expert in the kitchen believing a home baked cake could cure what ailed you. She worked many years in Decatur County Schools loving children at all ages and stages. Her grandchildren reaped the benefit of all that practice and have been described as just a little spoiled.
Survivors include her children, Peggy Gardner Lynn and her husband, Danny, of Orlando, FL, Gwen Gardner Josey and her husband, Rusty, of Bainbridge, GA, Susan Gardner Shaw and her husband, Vernie, of Climax, GA, and Alan Gardner and his wife, Geri of Milton, FL; her grandchildren, Michael, Sheri, Kellie, Gardner, Derek, Rebecca, Luke, Michael, Bryan and Jessica; and her great-grandchildren, Hollie, Lillie, Holland, Willa Kate, Lawren, Sarah, Bella, Payten, Annalisa and Kiley. In addition to her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Rufus W. Gardner; and her brothers, Bill Sapp, Carson Sapp, Guy Sapp, James Sapp and Hoyt Sapp.
