Edna Belle Gardner, age 81, of Sparta, passed away Monday, October 23, 2006. She was born March 25, 1925, in Springfield, the daughter of Jerry and Flossie Brown. On March 2, 1941, she and Herle E. Gardner were united in marriage. Mrs. Gardner loved her family and was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She cared for everyone and her sense of humor and laughter was enjoyed by all who knew her. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Herle; five children, Bob Gardner, Oldfield, Bill Gardner and wife, Sue, Oldfield, Ben Gardner and wife, Judy, Sparta, Don Gardner and wife, Nancy, Ozark, and Sherry Goins and husband, Eddie, Sparta; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a sister, Loretta Nicholson and husband, Dexter, Wichita, Kansas; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Oran Brown, James Edward "Pickle" Brown, and Lloyd Dean Brown; and her parents. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 26, in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Charles Eakins and Ron Blakey officiating. Burial will follow in Oldfield Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oldfield Cemetery Fund.