Elder Stacey S. Gardner

MR. STACEY SCOTT GARDNER was born May 8, 1964, in Centralia, Illinois, the son of Walter Gardner, Sr., and LaVeeda Gardner. He was a devoted father to his children, Maya Garrett and Dominique Gardner. He married his "Luv", Lela Gardner, July 8, 2006. 

Stacey was an avid reader and loved studying the Bible and its mysteries and listening to some of the faith's most prolific preachers, such as Pastor Toney Evans, Bishop T. D. Jakes, G. E. Patterson, Bishop Larry Baylor, Bishop Terence Coleman (Cuz), and Pastor Michael A. Fulks, whom he always quoted routinely, and so many others. 

He always supported Rhema Ministry endeavors. I can remember when we met, and he told me he was called to the ministry as a preacher/ minister, and I told him, "Great! I have your first assignment." We were doing outreach at Mary Riders Senior Home, and Stacey did his first sermon, of course sweating bullets, but he did an amazing job. He loved God and his people. His joke was, if somebody wanted to kill him, he could be found in "Barnes & Noble" studying several days a week. I have never known a person who loved studying and reading and could stay in a bookstore eight hours or more. 

He was so well-known at the Goodwill and Savors, that they just had tubs of books waiting for him for free every week. We literally have books in every corner of the house, and in the basement, there is enough for a library. And don't ask him a question about something in the Bible unless you want a two-hour Bible study. I will miss him and the knowledge he brought to my life and spiritual growth. Love you, Luv. 

He was a graduate of Centralia High School, Class of 1982. He attended Kaskaskia College, where he majored in Administration of Justice with a minor in Criminal Justice. He also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies from Cohen Institute in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2015. 

Stacey received Christ at an early age, growing up in Second Baptist Church through high school, then became a member of Crossroads of Faith Christian Center, under Pastor Michael Bryant. He was baptized in Jesus' Name by his beloved cousin, Bishop Terence Coleman, on April 18, 2005. He spent the last 13 years attending Haven House City of Refuge in St. Louis, Missouri, under his mentor, Pastor Michael Fulks. He also recognized the late great Pastor Charles Brown, Pastor Michael Bryant, and Apostle Larry Baylor, whom he called his spiritual fathers as mentors who helped shape his spiritual growth. 

He "retired" on December 31, 2015, after 30 years of service with the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

He departed this life on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, with his boxing gloves on. He leaves to cherish his memory: his (Luv) loving wife of 15 years, Lela Gardner; daughter, Maya Garrett; son, Dominique Gardner; eight grandchildren; four brothers, Kirby, Lance, Jerome, and Walter Jr.; five sisters, LaRise "Penny" (Eldo), Joan, Nancy (Victor), Darlene, and Franciene; one special cousin whom he loved as a brother, Otis Bryant; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, IDOC co-workers, and Men of Valor (HHCOF Brothers). 
Mr. Gardner was preceded in death by his father, Walter Gardner, Sr., mother, La Veeda Gardner, and brother, Mont. 

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