Janice Elizabeth Gardner

Janice Elizabeth Gardner, 80, of Tallahassee FL went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Janice was born in Panama City, FL on September 15, 1944, and was raised in Graceville, Florida by her incredible parents Ellis and Edna Cannon, who have also gone on to be with the Lord. In her own words Mom said “I had a very happy childhood. Parents and extended family who loved me.” And then, Mom extended that love to her family as it grew and grew. Growing up as a farmer’s daughter wasn’t always the glamourous life, and she wrote in her journal that she often envied some of the other kids in town that got to walk to school. She rode the bus all of her 12 years until graduation. Janice enjoyed singing in the high school chorus. I can still recall her lovely voice singing beside us in church and when she would play the piano at our home. While her childhood was happy, it was not without its share of heartbreak. Janice’s older brother, Harland Cannon, was killed in a horse accident when he was six years old. Mom was 4 at the time. This loss weighed heavy on her family but strengthened her and her family’s faith as they leaned on God’s providential love. Mom also had a younger sister, Carol Ann Cannon, who died not long after childbirth, where again, God’s love and her family’s love would sustain them during this loss. Janice was the epitome of a loving mother and wife. Janice married Jerry Gardner in December of 1963 in Graceville FL. After completing her AA degree from Chipola College, they moved their new family to Tallahassee where Jerry attended Florida State University, and mom was a very happy homemaker. After Tallahassee, they moved to Hollywood California, then to Houston TX, before returning to Graceville in 1973. Mom took incredible joy in raising her children and fostering a loving, close family of her own, as her parents provided for her. Janice and Jerry had three children. Her oldest son, Todd Gardner of Quincy Fl, daughter Dana Perritt of Tallahassee FL and youngest, Bradley Gardner of Groveland FL. Janice is survived by her brother Frank Cannon of Tallahassee. In addition to her children, she has eight grandchildren: Tyler Gardner, Caroline Gardner, Katherine LaJeunesse, Hannah Perritt, Joshua Perritt, Wilmari Gardner, Gabriella Gardner and Jacob Gardner and two great grandchildren, Elijah and Claire. She was Grammie to them and was so blessed to share their lives. Mom’s enduring legacy is one of faith and family. Again, in her own words when asked, what is your ideal vacation, she responded “anywhere with time spent with my family”. And her family relished the time spent with her. A celebration of life will be held Friday, December 13 at Morningside Church, Tallahassee FL at 10:00AMET followed by a graveside service at the Marvin Chapel Cemetery in Graceville FL at 3:00PMCT(4:00ET) same day. Donations may be made to the Good News Club at Morningside Church, where Mom served for several years.

Janice Elizabeth Gardner

September 15, 1944 - December 7, 2024