Ms. Lillian Ollison Gardner was born January 24, 1955, to the late Arthur Lewis Ollison and Gennie Mae Briggs Ollison. She departed this way of life on July 11, 2020. She confessed Christ at an young age and joined St. Francis Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful worker in the church, she served in many capacities, the Usher Board, Pastor’s Aide, Missionary Society, Trustee Board, she attended Sunday School, she was also a member of Queen Elizabeth Chapter #278 Order of the Eastern Star where she served as the Worthy Matron for 6 years (2014-2020). She was also a faithful member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc where she served in several positions.
She graduated from Greenville High School in May 1973. She went on to attended Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL where she received her BS. Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1977. In 1974, she became a mother to her only son, Roderick Leonard Ollison.
She began her teaching career in 1977 teaching Kindergarten in Beatrice, AL. Her classroom was a storage closet. She went on to teach in Uriah, Lower Peachtree and Frisco City, AL. She came home to Butler County in 1988 and began working at Baptist Hill School as a Kindergarten teacher. Lillian received a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Alabama State University in 1993.
On December 16, 1988 she married Marion Wayne Gardner. To their union one child was born in 1991, a daughter, Reneasha LaMarian Gardner. Both of her children, with almost 18 years difference in their age, were a blessing and kept her busy with various activities.
Tragedy struck, on August 9, 2003 when Roderick was shot and killed in a night club in Fort Deposit, AL. Being a woman of God Lillian stayed strong and held strong to her faith and family.
Her faith would be tested again in September 2010 when she lost her oldest brother, Mac Arthur and her then ex-husband Wayne weeks apart. In 2004, Lillian began caring for her mother after she was diagnosed with Liver Cancer and her mother Gennie, passed in January 2011 after her cancer returned.
In April 2015, after 38 years, Lillian decided to retire from teaching and enjoy her life outside of the classroom. In October 2015, Lillian was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. Lillian over came her diagnosed and had been cancer free since August 2016. Lillian reconnected with her first love, Mac Williams, after almost 40 years apart. Their reunion would be cut short in March 2020 when Mac passed, but she never lost her faith.
Lillian lived a full life. When she was not spending time with her family and friends, Lillian loved to travel, volunteer, shop and play Solitary. Lillian had a bright and energetic personality and was known for her willingness to help anyone in need. She touched so many lives with her generosity and kindness.
She will always be loved, honored and cherished by her devoted daughter: Reneasha Gardner (Maleik Hasley), two brothers: Robert Ollison, Greenville, AL, and John (Rutha) Ollison, Lisman, AL, Granddaughter, Amber Albritton, Aunts: Betty Rogers, Linda Gale (James) Newton, Uncles: Johnny Jackson, Eugene Brown and Jay (Marie) Brown, Nieces: Synetric (Chris) Colman, Yolanda (Bobby) Cheeks, Jacqueline Ollison, Nephews: Michael (Tiny) Ollison, Cedric Ollison, Byron Murphy, Phillip Ollison and a host of great nieces and nephews, family and friends.
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