Edna Juanita (Greer) Gardner
Edna Juanita (Greer) Gardner
1930-2025
SALEM — Edna Juanita (Greer) Gardner passed away peacefully at her home in Salem, Ohio on June 26, 2025, at the age of 94.
Juanita was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on July 27, 1930, and grew up on a family farm in Woodsfield, Ohio with her six siblings. She graduated from high school and later earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education. Juanita taught in several elementary schools throughout the 1950s and 1960s and loved all her students, but especially enjoyed teaching 3rd grade.
Juanita married her beloved husband, Reverend James Clyde Gardner, on June 23, 1951. Together with her husband, a Methodist Minister, she was called to serve others through her faith and was an active member of every church they attended as well as a role model and source of unconditional love and support to her fellow congregants, their families, and any community members in need. Juanita and her “Jimmy” served their longest tenure at Saybrook Methodist Church in Ashtabula, Ohio, which is also where they raised their beloved son and only child, Dr. James Gregory Gardner. They later relocated to Salem, Ohio to be near him and his young family after he opened his medical practice in the area. Juanita served as a board member for the Christian Women’s Club in Salem for many years.
Juanita was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many people during her lifetime. She was also a loving and supportive presence in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionally called her their “Grammy,” a distinction and moniker she carried with great pride.
She was the embodiment of a loving mother and grandmother to her family and became known as “Grammy” to anyone and everyone else who met or came to know her.
Juanita loved baking, scrapbooking, reading, growing roses in her garden, and watching the Cleveland Guardians with her grandson, Trevor. She was genuinely a good person who made an effort every day to live out her Christian faith to the best of her ability. Her kindness and warmth will be greatly missed by those closest to her.
Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, James Frank and Mattie Sue (Tubb) Greer; her siblings, Wilma, Polly, James, Charles, and Iona; her husband, Rev. James C. Gardner; her son, Dr. James Gregory Gardner; and her daughter-in-law, Lynn E. Gardner.
Juanita is survived by her sister, Ruth Eskew, of Stow, Ohio; her granddaughter, Dr. Stacey Gardner-Buckshaw (Jeffrey Buckshaw) and two great-grandchildren, Carter and Reagan Buckshaw of Green, Ohio; her grandson, Trevor Gardner (Atty. Amanda J. Jackson) of Salem, Ohio; her longtime friend and caretaker, Amy (Larry) Gentile of Salem, Ohio; and her beloved cat and constant companion, Buddy.
Family and friends will celebrate Juanita’s life with a memorial service at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Stark Memorial Funeral Home, 1014 E. State St., Salem. A private burial will be in Stafford, Ohio, next to her husband.
If unable to attend, you may show your support by joining our complimentary “Hugs from Home” program at www.starkmemorial.com/hugs-from-home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Juanita’s honor to Focus on the Family (focusonthefamily.com) or Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanspurse.org).
Arrangements are being handled by Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
To view Juanita’s obituary and send condolences, visit www.starkmemorial.com.
7/19/25