Hazel Blackburn Gardner, 89, passed away on March 28, 2010.

Mrs. Gardner was born on April 29, 1920 in Blountville, TN, and graduated from Blountville High School in 1938. She was preceded in death by her husband, James D. Gardner; her parents, Lonnie and Mattie Blackburn; her brothers, Clyde Blackburn and Perry Blackburn; and her sisters, Mabel Elsea and Mary Louise Blackburn.

Mrs. Gardner is survived by her two daughters, Mildred Groseclose (Jim Garrett) of Bristol, TN and Debra Lunsford (John) of Kernersville, NC; three granddaughters, Rhonda Webb (Billy) of Murrells Inlet, SC; Sheri Gerald (Kevin) of Charleston, SC; and Rachel Lunsford of Kernersville, NC; and two great-granddaughters, Hali and Lacy Gerald of Charleston, SC. Other survivors include many very special nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Gardner was a beloved and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt where her greatest passion in life was her family.

Memorials can be made to Blountville United Methodist Church Building Fund, 3390 Hwy. 126, P.O. Box 686, Blountville, TN 37617 in memory of Hazel Gardner.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Broadmore Assisted Living at Bristol and Dr. David Thompson of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center for the care, support, and compassion given to Mrs. Gardner these past few years.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Akard Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 7:45 p.m. on March 31, 2010, at Akard Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Murphy officiating. Burial will be at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, April 1, 2010 at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens, Blountville, TN. Honorary pallbearers will be Louis Blackburn, Tony Blackburn, E. B. Henry, Richard Henry, Robert Blackburn and Jimmy Stidham.

Email condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com