Albert "Al" Lee Gardner

Albert “Al” Lee Gardner, 70, of East Moline, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16th at Gaines Chapel AME Church, 311 19th St., East Moline with the Rev. Cyrus J. Burns officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to services. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Moline. Sullivan-Ellis Mortuary is assisting the family.

Al was born on January 16, 1954, in West Point, Miss., the son of Amos and Pauline (Taylor) Gardner. He graduated from M & I High School in 1972.

Al married Kathleen Hunter in East Moline on December 24, 1994.

Al served in many positions throughout his career, spending the most time driving roll-off and dump trucks for various waste management companies in the Quad Cities. After retiring in 2021, Al became a school bus driver for the Aldridge Early Learning Center, in East Moline, until his illness.

Al enjoyed running, bowling, biking, playing chess and darts, watching drag racing, and restoring old cars. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan for more than 40 years. A dream was realized in 2022 when Al toured the AT&T stadium, home of his beloved Dallas Cowboys.

Deeply committed to his faith, Al attended Gaines Chapel AME church where he faithfully served as a member of the usher board and church janitor.

Those left to cherish Al’s memory include his loving wife, Kathleen; daughters, Yetaunda Strong of West Point, MS., Tabitha Leigh Gardner of Nashville, Tenn., LaDeitra Higgins of Memphis, TN ; sons, Reginald Wright of St. Louis, MO., Ryan Daniels of Baltimore, MD., Justin Luten of Peoria, IL., Orberie (Crystal) Davis of Decatur, MS., Anthony (Christopher) Cook of Rochester, MN.; sisters Marie Gardner of Rock Island, IL., Mary Gardner and Roylean (Greg) Martin of Jackson, MS, Dorothy Gardner, and Nicole Gardner Gibson of West Point, MS.; brothers, Amos Gardner and Stephen (Mary) Gardner of West Point, MS;  Aunts,  Georgia Mae (Robert) Wilson of Rock Island, IL and Merline Gates of Chicago, IL, 24 grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

Al was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Johnnie Mae Robinson; in-laws, George Hunter, James Reed, and Flora Hunter; and son, Herman Robert Davis III. 

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