Loyola Gardner Loyola “Pokey” Gardner passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at her home in Lakeside. She was 84 years old. Loyola was born in McNary to Lloyd and Iola Johnson. She was one of eight children. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Owens Livingston Mortuary White Mountain Chapel, located at 320 N. 9th St. in Show Low, with the inurnment to follow in the Lakeside Cemetery. She married the love of her life, Leland Gardner, in October of 1955. They had five children, Mitch, Kent, Leanne, Lori and Shannon. They were married for 61 years. The things that meant the most to her were her family and friends. She also enjoyed fishing, camping and reading. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was the strongest, most loving woman we have ever known, and she will be greatly missed. Loyola was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Gardner; sons, Mitch and Kent Gardner; granddaughter, Delissa Gardner; great-grandson, Zachary Gardner; parents, Lloyd and Iola Johnson; sisters, Jackie Bagley and Claudette Knowlton; brothers, Daryl Johnson and Doc Johnson; and countless other family and friends that I’m sure were waiting for her with open arms. She is survived by her daughters, Leanne (Walt) Wimberly of San Antonio, Texas, Lori Gardner-Oliver of Phoenix and Shannon (Mike) Hutchins of Taylor; brothers, Ted (Connie) Johnson of Oregon and Larry Johnson of Tucson; sister, Susie (Don) Lewis of Snowflake; and 17 grandkids and 21 great-grandkids. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements.
