Esther (Gardner) Smith

 Esther Gardner Smith, loving mother and friend, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2019 in Semmes, AL. She was 78.

 Esther was born on April 13, 1941 in Seaboard, AL to her parents, Claude and Mary Gardner. She married Larry Smith in 1990. They resided in Eight Mile, AL for 20 years. After many years of employment, she retired and dedicated her remaining time to caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

 Esther was a patient, loving, kindhearted person with a gifted passion for making others feel extraordinary. She loved darts, reading, music, bowling, singing, anything that involved spending time with her family. She was truly the life of the party and she always made her presence known to all! She inspired creativity and dedication to her children was her life-long goal. 

 She is preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Mary Gardner; her siblings, Woodrow Gardner, Claude Gardner Jr., Burt Gardner, Joe Gardner, Pete Gardner, Chuck Gardner, John Gardner, Lynn Gardner, Calvin Gardner, Mary Webb, Anna Belle Gardner, and Elsie Gardner (her twin).

 Esther is survived by her daughters, Judy Hammons (Mitch), Tammy Holland (Terry), Bobbie Slawson (James), and Michelle Moody (Joey) and grandchildren, Brandy Hart, Brook Griffin, Todd Ferguson, Christy Lynd, Christen Moore, James “Zach” Slawson, and Jessica Slawson. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Kaela Villanueva, Madison Imbrenda, Haleigh Callaway, Breana Villanueva, Sean Michael Whisenhunt, Aiden Moore, Alyssa Armstrong, Caden Lynd, Reagan Hart, and James Patrick Ferguson and her siblings, Rosalie Howard and Betty Jordan (Billy), many other family and friends.

 A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at Valhalla Funeral Home from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Esther’s life. 

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