Mrs. Margarita Gardner

Mrs. Margarita Devlin Gardner (née Bowen) was born July 6, 1967 in Colón, Panamá to Mrs. Beverly D. Conway (née Bowen) and Mr. Genis O. Devlin, Jr.. She was the third of ten children and is the first of them to depart this life. She received her formative education attending schools in Texas, Virginia, and Panamá. She attended Denbigh High and Menchville High in Newport News Public School. Upon graduation high school, Margarita enrolled in Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, VA. In 1988, Margarita met a soldier named Mr. Connell Gardner through Reginald Jones. In September of that same year, they were married in Newport News, VA.

While Connell was serving in the U.S. Army, they as a couple were stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Hanau, Germany, and Fort Eustis, Virginia. Missionary Gardner gave her life to the Lord on Easter Sunday in 1989 at Holy Ghost Corner COGIC while living in Hawaii. Subsequently, she was a member of True Vine Ministries COGIC in North Carolina, New Birth COGIC in Germany, St. Johns COGIC and Grace Temple Worship Center COGIC, both in Newport News.

She served on the Usher Board, the Hospitality Committee, as an adjutant for three First Ladies, and as a Jurisdictional Sunshine Band Assistant President. She received her Evangelist Missionary license in the Church of God in Christ, Inc. under the late Bishop Samuel L. Green, Jr., General Board Member Emeritus. Margarita worked in various finance jobs throughout the years in banks and accounting departments. Most recently, she was a Teaching Assistant for Hampton City Schools.

Her life was dedicated to God, her husband and children, and the church. In February of 2020, she suffered a massive stroke from which she was still recovering upon her death. Connell was her caretaker until he passed away in November 2021. Missionary Gardner passed away exactly six months after her late husband’s memorial service from a broken heart. Margarita was preceded in death by: Her loving husband of 33 years, Mr. Connell Gardner; Her mother, Mrs. Beverly D. Conway; Her father, Mr. Genis O. Devlin, Jr.; Her grandfathers, Mr. Prince A. Bowen & Mr. Genis O. Devlin, Sr.; Her grandmothers, Mrs. Ellen R. Bowen & Mrs. Margie Devlin; Her mother-in-law, Ms. Nellie B. Gardner; Her father-in-law, Mr. Henry “June” Thomas, Jr.; Her uncle, Mr. Carlos A. Bowen, Sr.; Her aunts, Mrs. Eleanor Truick & Mrs. Yvonne Earlington; Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Brenda F. Barnett; And Her nephews Mr. Robert W. Watkins, IV & Mr. Dominique Rhyme.

On Wednesday, June 8, 2022 while at home in Hampton, Virginia, she departed this life and slept into eternal rest.

Margarita Gardner leaves to cherish her memories: One son, James A. Devlin-Braswell; One daughter, Conniya M. Gardner; Four brothers, Ricardo A. Barnett-Bowen, Elijah R. Conway, Jr., Genis O. Devlin, III, & Gerren V. Devlin; Five sisters, Gloria C. Henderson, Angela D. Devlin, Cheryl D. Francis, Ada E. Watkins, & Elizabeth R. Batts; A special niece, Elisa R. Conway; and a host of nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, & friends

It is the desire of the Gardner family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family Mrs. Margarita Gardner has entrusted her  final care to C.C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

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