Jesse D. Gardner Jr.

Published 1:53 pm Thursday, May 8, 2025

FRANKLIN – Jesse Dempsey Gardner Jr., 96, passed away May 7, 2025 in East Pavilion. Born in Portsmouth and raised in Franklin, he was the son of the late Jesse Dempsey Gardner Sr. and Annie Turner Gardner Cutchins. He was also predeceased by his stepfather, Harvey Cutchins; sister-in-law, Doris Bulls and brothers-in-law, Charles Bulls, Ray Haynie and Lee Tolliver.

Jesse was a graduate of Franklin High School and attended Virginia Tech. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952 at Camp Pickett, Virginia and Augsburg, Germany during the Korean War and earned the rank of Corporal. Jesse was a retired Benefits and Insurance Manager at Union Camp Corporation with 37 years of service.

He was a former member of the Franklin Lions Club and a volunteer at Franklin Cooperative Ministries. Jesse was a former member of Franklin Baptist Church for 50 years where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of Black Creek Baptist Church since 2001 and served faithfully as a church usher. He loved his family and enjoyed hunting and fishing as a young man. Jesse was a big “fan” of VA Tech football and basketball

Jesse D. Gardner Jr.

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Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 71 years, Anne Bulls Gardner; a daughter, Pamela Grumbles (Mark); two sons, Jesse Gardner III (Carol) and Mark Gardner (Lisa); eight grandchildren.; and 17 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 12 in Black Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Grumbles and the Rev. Richard Inman officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Black Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church and suggests that memorial donations be made to Black Creek Baptist Church.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org