Albert Gardner

William Albert Gardner, Sr., (1928-2012) was born on Nov. 12, 1928, in Marmaduke, Ark., to Omar and Edna Sutton Gardner Rowe.

In May of 1948, he married his sweetheart and love of his life, Johnnie Frances Eades, of Kennett.

After completing high school at Marmaduke, Albert attended the College of Watchmaking at Memphis, Tenn., and in Kansas City, Mo. Albert worked at Collins Jewelry Store in Kennett, Paragould Jewelry Store in Arkansas and owned a jewelry store in Campbell, Mo. He entered Abilene Christian University and later Freed Hardeman University where he graduated earning a degree in Biblical Studies. Albert completed his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Nebraska in Omaha, and later earned his Masters of Missions from Luther Rice Seminary.

Albert made the decision early on in his life to serve the Lord. He first started sharing the gospel at the Bakerville Church of Christ, east of Kennett, and ended his 62 years of service also with the Bakerville congregation. Albert served as a full time pulpit minister throughout several congregations both state side and in the foreign mission fields of Ghana, West Africa, South Africa, Belarus and in India, where he made over 20 trips sharing God's word. Albert was instrumental in setting up several Schools of Preaching in India.

Albert produced a radio program on KCRV and had radio programs in the local media nearly everywhere he worked. Albert held revival meetings in countless locations over his preaching career and was always ready to share the Gospel of Christ at every opportunity.

Albert had the opportunity to share God's Word through his writings for the Gospel Advocate, the Firm Foundation, and other publications. Albert was also a prolific author, having written over 22 published books, plus numerous religious pamphlets with each of these books also being translated into several India languages to be used in the India Mission field.

Albert became acquainted with Ham Radio while in the mission field and was an avid Ham Radio operator for over 50 years, holding an Extra Class license. Talking on the radio each morning was a part of his daily routine.

Albert and Frances have five children, 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Albert’s brother is E. Claude Gardner, of Henderson, Tenn., former President of Freed-Hardeman College.