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Wayne Allan Gardner, 82, passed away surrounded by his family on July 23, 2023.  He was born in Norfolk, the son of the late Hiram “H.J.” Jordan Gardner Jr. and Audrey Christine Byrd Gardner. He was an Elon University graduate and earned his Master’s in Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Wayne was a Protestant Minister and served his ministry in North Carolina and Virginia. He served on numerous boards throughout the years in the United Church of Christ. He was a member of Eure Christian Church. In his earlier years, he was a former police chaplain. Wayne was a 50-year member of the Suffolk Masonic Lodge #30. He was a master gardener and a professional musician.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 61 years, Judith Edwards Gardner; children, Brian and Janice Gardner, Rebecca and Calvin Askew, and Neil and Kim Gardner; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; uncle, Jerry Byrd and brother, William and Dawna Gardner.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, at Oakland Christian Church, 5641 Godwin Blvd. with the Rev. Jason Stump, the Rev. Lafayette Wilkins and Ray Felton officiating.  A time of fellowship will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be private at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Becky Godwin Scholarship Fund at Oakland Christian Church. Condolences may be registered online at parrfuneralhome.com.