March 19, 2026, 77, Pikeville – Mary Ann Jackson Gardner, 77, peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Willow Creek Nursing and Rehab, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Wayne County on January 4, 1949, Mary was the daughter of the late Gilbert and Annie Elizabeth Pittman Jackson.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, George William Gardner and sisters, Edna Goff, Betty Evans, and Carolyn Hargis.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Cathy Shearin and husband, John; son, John Gardner and wife, Deana; three adored grandchildren, Mason Shearin, Ashleigh Gardner, and Jonathan Gardner; sister, Linda Marlowe; and several nieces and nephews.
Mary attended Nahunta Friends Church as long as her health allowed. She found great joy in worshipping her Lord and Savior with her friends and neighbors at Nahunta Friends. Mary worked for many years as a child care provider, tending to children with gentle love and care.
Mary was an excellent cook, making sure her husband and children had a good home cooked meal on the table every night. No meal was complete without her signature homemade biscuits.
Family was paramount to Mary. She loved each one in their own special way. Mary was proud of her two children and their spouses, but no one compared to those grandchildren. Her most cherished role in life was being “Nanny” to Mason, Ashleigh, and Jonathan. In her eyes her grandchildren did no wrong.
A graveside service to honor Mary’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Wayne Memorial Park with Pastor Randy Quate and Pastor Drew Hill officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery and at other times at the home of John and Deana Gardner in Pikeville.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Willow Creek Nursing and Rehab. The love, kindness, and care provided to Mary was truly a blessing to us all.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Nahunta Friends Church, 2537 N.C. Hwy 581, Pikeville, NC 27863 or Faro Chapel PFWB Church, 3616 Big Daddy’s Rd, Fremont, NC 27830.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
