Rita H. Gardner, 85 of Hillsville, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at Pulaski Community Hospital. Mrs. Gardner was preceded in death by her husband John Earnest Gardner and a son Ernest John Gardner. She is survived by her son & daughter-in-law James & Deborah Gardner; daughter & son-in-law Mary & Fred Cox; daughter-in-law Polly Gardner; six grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel with Elder Ronald Bowman officiating. Burial will follow in Independence Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, March 27, 2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.