Rosie Esther Gardner was born on October 11, 1943 in Meridian, Mississippi to the union of Lester Jones and Reebie Hines. The family moved to East St. Louis in 1948. Rosie confessed a hope in Christ at an early age with 1 ^st Mark Pentecostal Church.

After getting her GED, Rosie received her LPN. She later married Claude J. Gardner on May 26, 1962. Pastor Davis moved her membership to New Macedonia Church where she served faithfully as a young leader, choir member, and then joined the Deaconess Board.

Rosie retired from Touchette. She worked at numerous healthcare facilities. She coordinated family gatherings and frequently volunteered at churches. Rosie loved being around her family. She enjoyed sewing, reading novels, drawing, watching her stories and riding bikes.

Rosie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Claude J. Gardner, brothers Tony Hines and Clifford Hines, sisters Chosia Winters and Maggie Douglas.

Rosie departed this life on August 23, 2020. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her children Claudette Edwards, Daylor Gardner, Lesley (Shaticia) Gardner, Adrian (Vanessa) Gardner, Gavin (Claudia) Gardner, Jared (Sharon) Gardner, Rolan (Lucresia) Gardner, and Patrick (Anika) Gardner; siblings Annie (Larry) Hurd, Exie (Brodderick) Tarrant, Doretha (Derrick) Gardner, Jessie Hines and Ruthie Hines.