Jeanette Gardner loved flowers. Her husband, Bob Gardner, appreciated that, and so in 1970 when a friend at work complained about his spouse's troubles running her flower shop on McDonough's downtown square, Bob Gardner jumped at the chance to buy it and present it to his wife.
At the time, Mrs. Gardner had just turned 50 and knew little about horticulture or floral design and nothing about running a business, according to a former flower shop partner of hers, Wilna Mullis of Oxford.
"Jeanette told me she happened to notice in the Sunday Journal-Constitution that the Georgia State Florist Association was having a trade show in downtown Atlanta the following week, so she signed up for it and set out to learn as much as she could about the business," said Mrs. Mullis.
Fifteen years later, that same association presented her with its retailer of the year award. And in 1995, she was inducted into the American Academy of Floriculture, a high honor bestowed on only 10 floral industry notables each year by the Society of American Florists.
Mrs. Gardner was a believer in continuing education, said Sherry Moon of Atlanta, president of the Teleflora Network members of Georgia. "She took all kinds of instruction related to her business from universities like Auburn and University of Georgia and from floral trade associations. As time went on, she passed that knowledge on as a mentor to newcomers to the floral industry. "
She also stayed current with the latest trends, Mrs. Mullis said, taking courses in floral design as far afield as the Netherlands and Southern California.
"Jeanette was an absolute joy to work with. She had so much energy. You would never have guessed she was in her mid-70s the way she got around," Mrs. Mullis said.
Her customers were similarly impressed. One of them, Martha Russell of McDonough, said Mrs. Gardner's floral arrangements were always so beautiful. Another grateful customer, Marie Driver Bertholf, said Mrs. Gardner helped her to make good decisions about flowers for her own wedding in 1972, then two decades later did the same for her two daughters' weddings.
Over a 35-year span, Mrs. Gardner operated three flower shops, all in McDonough -- McDonough Flowers & Gifts, Always Flowers & Gifts and Absolutely Flowers. She also accompanied her husband, an orchid fancier and grower, on treks through South American forests to collect orchid specimens. She acquired such a store of knowledge about the species that she qualified to judge at orchid shows throughout the Southeast.
Jeanette Stanton Gardner, 88, of McDonough died last Sunday at Sacred Journey Hospice of liver cancer complications. Her memorial service is 2 p.m. Sept. 25 at Timberridge Presbyterian Church. Donations in her memory may be made to the Timberridge church's building fund, 2704 Conyers Road, McDonough, GA 30252. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
Born in McDonough, she lived there almost all her life, except for four years she spent at Berry College acquiring a degree in home economics and a year she lived in Rock Island, Ill., when her husband worked there.
"She made it clear to our father that one year was all she wanted to stay away from her hometown," said a son, Larry Gardner of McDonough.
Mrs. Gardner taught Sunday school at the Timberridge church and was active in its youth programs for 25 years.
As the wife of a World War II veteran, Mrs. Gardner was a faithful member of her local American Legion Auxiliary for 61 years, said Sarah Upchurch of McDonough. "Over time, Jeanette held every office from president on down and always played a big part in our Girls State and poppy fundraising programs," she added.
Mrs. Gardner's husband of 59 years died in 2005. Her survivors include another son, Rick Gardner of McDonough; a sister, Betty Ethridge of Foley, Ala.; a brother, Jeff Stanton of McDonough; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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