Frank Hockaday Gardner

ANGIER- Frank Hockaday Gardner, 91, passed away on Friday at Emerald Healthcare in Lillington. A native of Harnett County, Frank was the son of the late Mack Broughton Gardner and Mary Hockaday Gardner. After graduating high school, Frank attended school at Campbell College and played minor league baseball in New River and Rocky Mount. He then served honorably for four years in the US Air Force. Following his service to his country he continued his baseball career playing and coaching the team down in Pea Ridge. He even helped lead them to a top four finish in their semi pro tournament in Wichita, Kansas in 1957. Frank went on to work for the US Post Office in Angier as a mail carrier and retired after 34 years of service and a spotless driving record on the job. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, March 22nd at 2:00 PM at Lakeside Memorial Gardens, 2712 Oak Grove Church Rd. Angier, NC 27501. Frank is survived by his wife of 66 years, Frances “Dee Dee” Gardner, daughters, Marsha Lynn Mendenhall of Danville, VA, Sandra Lee Myers and husband, Chuck of Mims, FL, Cynthia Woodard of Angier, Barbara Hughes and husband, Gary of Angier; son, Richard Frank Gardner of Angier; six grandchildren, Samantha Myers of Mims, FL, Krystal Mendenhall of Fredericksburg, VA, Byron Hughes of Angier, Garrett Myers and wife, Crystal of Apopka, FL, Courtney Keith and husband, Joey of Angier, Colton Myers of Orlando, FL; four great granddaughters; sister, Lena Marsh Gardner of Angier; brother Stuart Broughton Gardner of Angier. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Lois Dougherty and Mary Ann Witt; brothers, Mack Williams and James Brooks. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Angier United Methodist Church, 278 S. Wilma St. Angier, NC 27501.