SHELBY- Mrs. Joyce Gardner, 83, of Shelby, passed away, Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. A native of Cleveland County, North Carolina, she was born on August 22, 1929, daughter of the late Sudie Bailey Lemons and Benjamin Elzie Lemons. She was a caring mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved to travel and was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church.

PRECEDED: In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Louis Williams Gardner, Jr., two brothers; Floyd Lemons and Larry Lemons, two sisters; Lucille Lemons and Elizabeth Carpenter, sister-in-law; Mary Moore, and brother-in-law; Junius “Candy Man” Gardner.

SURVIVED:  She is survived by one son; Frank W. Gardner and wife Becky of Shelby, one sister; Brenda Wheat of South Carolina, one brother; Harold Lemons and wife Brenda of Lattimore, two grandchildren; Andy Franklin Gardner and wife Heather of Shelby, and Emily Susan Gardner Van Buren and husband David of Shelby, seven great grandchildren; Katie, Emma, Nathan, Ian, Paige, Ethan, William and numerous nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. at Clay Barnette Funeral Home.

VISITATION: The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home and other times at the home of her son, Frank Gardner, 1607 North Oak Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

CLERGY: Rev. Craig Langston

BURIAL: Burial will immediately follow in Sunset Cemetery.

MEMORIALS: Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150

FUNERAL HOME:    Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby