OBITUARY: Joan Erwin Gardner

Joan Erwin Gardner was born on March 30, 1937, to the late Raymond Campbell Erwin and Ruby Lee Kirkpatrick Erwin. She entered her eternal reward on January 8, 2026, at age 88. Joan grew up in Pulaski, Tennessee, and graduated as Valedictorian of her Beech Hill Class of 1955.

She moved to Nashville immediately after graduation and was employed by the National Life and Accident Insurance Company for several years. She was later a full-time mom until her children began school. She began employment in the David Lipscomb College Bookstore in 1978, where she worked for several years before transferring to the David Lipscomb University Library, where she remained until her retirement in 2002. After retirement, she worked part-time with a financial adviser for several years.

Throughout her life, Joan nourished, maintained, and treasured many friendships from her single days, her National Life years, her David Lipscomb years, and her special church family. Her family and friends were her true treasures. Joan was a woman of complete honesty and integrity who gave her all to every endeavor.

She was a gifted seamstress and made many dresses for poverty-stricken children. She volunteered numerous hours at Healing Hands International, performing whatever task was needed, especially filling Magi Christmas boxes for needy children in other countries. She was a member of the Beech Hill Church of Christ in her youth. After moving to Nashville, she attended Central Church of Christ and Waverly-Belmont Church of Christ. For more than 60 years, she was a faithful and active member of the Hillsboro Church of Christ.

Joan enjoyed reading and loved studying her Bible most of all. She was drawn to older people and enjoyed visiting and spending time with those who might need company. She frequently took her young children with her on those visits, which not only pleased the people they visited but also instilled compassion and kindness in her children.

Joan was always impeccably dressed, very health-conscious, and exercised regularly until she was no longer able to do so. She loved sitting on the front porch swing at the Pulaski farm, never lost her love for picking blackberries, and was relentless in hunting Easter eggs until she was certain the very last one had been found. Joan was an excellent cook and was especially famous for her homemade rolls, which were a staple at every holiday gathering.

In addition to her parents, Joan was predeceased in 2012 by her husband of 48 years, James Ellis Gardner. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Jewell Erwin Gaines and Deborah Jean Erwin Gibson; and her brother, James Allen Erwin.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Angela Gardner of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and her son, Gary Gardner of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by her sister, Carolyn Hughey (Doug) of Nashville, Tennessee; and her brother, Larry Wayne Erwin (Judy) of Pulaski, Tennessee; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to either the Hillsboro Church of Christ (Missions Fund), 5800 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215, or to Hope for Haiti’s Children at P.O. Box 62328, Cincinnati, OH 45262-0328, or online at www.hopeforhaitischildren.org.

Memorial services will be conducted on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (visitation 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.) at Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel, 5852 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 615-331-1952.