Obituary of Opal Christina Gardner

Opal Christine Gardner (Mother) was born on October 1, 1933, to Jim and Icy Lee Petties in Ripley, Oklahoma. She grew up in Cushing, Oklahoma, “in the country” along with her six sisters and one brother whom they called “brotha”.

The family farmed the land and grew their own crops under the firm but fair hands of Jim and Icy. Mother was the youngest in the family and worked just as hard as her older siblings to help put food on the table.

Mother devoted her life to Christ early in her life. You could often find her singing gospel songs as she went about her daily activities. Her love for Christ would be demonstrated throughout her life in many ways as she grew closer and closer to the Lord.

Mother graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Cushing, Oklahoma in 1952. She married Billy Ray Owens and through that union two children were born, Wilma Janette Owens and Donald Ray Owens.

She later moved to Riverside, California with the help of her sister Isabel as a single mom looking for better opportunities.

Mother attended Park Avenue Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church, and Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Riverside California.

It was at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where she met and married Manuel Gardner. Manuel was a Deacon at Friendship and a very good singer. He was very much a God-fearing man and I’m sure this is one of the reasons Mother was attracted to hm. They later adopted a baby girl: Kimberly.

While serving faithfully at Friendship for many years, Manuel felt called by God to establish a church. With God’s blessing, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church at 7547 Emerald St. was formed in Riverside, California on February 4^th, 1974.

Mother was very instrumental in helping the church get started. She would go to the church building every day and work long into the evening, decorating, cleaning, and doing all that was needed to make the church warm and inviting for those attending that first worship service.

Mother served in many positions in the early establishment of the church. She was the church secretary, administrator, Sunday school teacher, usher, choir director, and whatever was needed to help the church function. She also taught herself to play the piano and was the church pianist. She became one of the best gospel pianist in the Inland Empire.

After many successful years serving at Antioch, Manuel was called to be the pastor at his former church, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, this time located in Denison, Texas. Mother served as First Lady and pianist.

Mother served faithfully at Antioch in Texas for quite a few years before returning to Riverside, California where she bought a home in Moreno Valley. She immediately re-established her membership with the church she co-founded.

She contributed to several ministries at Antioch. One of her favorite activities was going to the nursing homes and ministering to the patients in song, praying, and sharing the word.

She obtained a job working for the City of Riverside in the Building and Safety department. She loved her job, and she loved people. Her job allowed her the opportunity to interact and communicate with many different people. Those that knew Mother would tell you that she was a people person.

Mother could be standing in line at the grocery store or at a restaurant and strike up a conversation with a stranger as if she had known them for years. She just loved meeting people and talking about Antioch. She wouldn’t end the conversation without inviting them to church.

Mother was a fantastic cook. She was not afraid of that kitchen. Her sweet potato pies and german chocolate cake were the best in the world. Her dressing would make a great meal by itself. She often hosted holiday meals for the extended family including Jim and Ann Lawless.

Mother loved to keep her car clean. She would drive down the hill from Moreno Valley to the city of Riverside every Saturday for years to the same car wash to get her car cleaned up for church on Sunday.

Mother was preceded in death by; her prents Jim and Icy Petties, her five sisters: Odesa, Jesse Mae, Isabel, Mildred, and Juanita (Nita) and her brother Raymond.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her children: Wilma, Donald (Teresa), and Kimberly, her sister Thelma Leitch, her nieces: Leoneta LeBan, Tanya Humphrey, Valeri Evans, Charlotte Petties, Patty Jones, Debra, Irma Petties, and Michelle. Nephews: Darnell Hatcher, Wayne Hatcher, R.J. Hatcher, Bobby Johnson, Parrish Johnson, Victor Johnson, Raymond Petties Jr., James Humphry. Grandchildren: Donald Owens Jr., Bettie Jean Owens, Opal Christine Owens, Jimmie Moore III, John Henry Bridges Moore, Amisha Peters (Jason), and Suzy. Great grandchildren: Jacqueline Cooley, Jamye Cooley, Jahani Johnson, Marquis Maxi, Rocco Owens, Ray Ray Owens, Rasheed Peters, Lillyanna Peters, and Kahless Peters. Great-Great Grandchildren: Marquis Maxie Jr., and a host of great nieces, nephews and friends.