Obituary of Inez B. Gardner

Inez Buddin Gardner, 94, of Kingstree, widow of Grover Cleveland Gardner, passed away at home surrounded by her family, Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Born April 14, 1922, in Hebron, SC, she was a daughter of the late John Charlton Buddin and Ellen Irene Coker Buddin. She married Grover C. Gardner after graduating from Marlboro Business College where she was valedictorian of her class. She spent many years in the business world as a Manager of South Agriculture Chemicals and after retirement, Office Manager of McElveen’s Fabric and Designs of Pawley’s Island. She was a devoted member of Kingstree United Methodist Church for 49 years where she was very active and served as Secretary of the Katie Cole Circle for 40 years. She also served as an office volunteer for Williamsburg Cares. Surviving are one son, Grover “Buddy” Gardner and wife Marilyn of Florence; two daughters Gloria W. McEwen and husband George B. “Mac” of Sumter and Patricia Gardner McWhirter and husband Edgar Paul of Chester, SC; 9 grandchildren, Robert Edgar Wilder, Jr. (Renee), Donna Boyle (Barnes), Lisa W. Ray, Kimberly W. Rodberg (Dale), Paul McWhirter (Kathy), Mark McWhirter (Shelley), Michael McWhirter (Nell), Melissa Parrott (Brian), and Justin Gardner; 14 great-grandchildren; her beloved dog, Bud; her dear sitter and friend Sylvia Davis and nurse Charlene Bodison. She was predeceased by three sisters and five brothers. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday at Kingstree United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Blackwelder officiating. Burial will be in the Kingstree Memorial Gardens in Kingstree, SC. Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the home of her granddaughter, Donna (Barnes) Boyle, 3365 Gristmill Lane. Memorials may be made to the Amedisys Hospice, 198 E. Wesmark Boulevard, Suite 2, Sumter, SC 29150. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.