Essie Lee Gardner was born on August 11, 1954 in St. Louis, MO to Eugene and Elsie Lee Gardner. She attended day training at Vantage Group. She lived in East St. Louis all her life. She loved being around her family and loved them dearly.

Essie departed this life on May 12, 2019 in Granite City, Illinois.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Elsie Lee Gardner in 2008.

She leaves to cherish her memory two brothers, Eugene (Mary) Gardner and Nolan Gardner; one sister, Catherine Ragland; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members and friends.