James Timothy Gardner

James Timothy Gardner, affectionately known at Tim, was born August 26, 1971 in Charleston, Missouri to Elax Jackson and LuVera Gardner. In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by his grandmother, Mattie G. Gardner, and his close cousins, Willie C. Carpenter-Betts, Sr., and Roxanne Anderson. He is a 1991 graduate of Charleston High School in Charleston, Missouri. While there, he was a member of the football team. James was a proud member of the United States Army and the Army Reserves. While serving, he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, National Defense Service Medal, a Marksmanship Badge for the Rifle M-16, the Expert Badge in Hand Grenades, and an Overseas Service Ribbon. He received an honorable discharge. Growing up, James was taught, along with his siblings, how to cook by his mother. While he was overseas, he started taking cooking seriously. His newfound love for culinary encouraged him to continue when he returned stateside. He had been enjoying working as a chef on various cruise ships. On March 3, 2010, James was united in marriage to his wife, Gina Vilayvong, in Charleston, Missouri. They shared over 20 years of love together. James was a beautiful soul that always had a kind word for everyone. He was a private person but was a prankster. James loved joking around and having a good time. He enjoyed smiling, laughing, and talking about people, especially his family. He and his sister, June, had many inside jokes. His love for football continued into adulthood as he was a diehard fan of the Dallas Cowboys, "DC4L." In his spare time, he could be found watching football, cooking, or grilling. James was a loving son, husband, brother, father, step-father, and grandfather. He was truly loved and will be missed. On September 18, 2021, while at Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, James went to be with our Lord and Savior at the age of 50 years and 24 days. He leaves to cherish his precious memories his wife, Gina Gardner of Richmond Hill, Georgia, his mother, LuVera Gardner of Charleston, Missouri, his sons, Raekwon Noy Gardner and Jaxson Lamar Gardner of Richmond Hill, Georgia, TaShawn Gardner of Japan, and R.J. Mack Vilayvong of Tampa, Florida, his daughters, Tiana LaVera Gardner of Richmond Hill, Georgia and Nancy Gina Vilayvong of Kapolei, Hawaii, his brother, Joe Hines of Charleston, Missouri, his sisters, Connie M. Williams of Pontiac, Michigan, Chris Harris of Sikeston, Missouri and Georgia Hines and June Gardner of Charleston, Missouri, his grandson, Zydin Vilayvong Asuncio’n, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends. Friends may call Sunday, September 26, 2021from 3:00 P.M. until the funeral hour of 4:00 P.M. at St. Matthews Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston with Minister Jermaine Carter officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery will military honors. The Williams Funeral Homes of Charleston is in charge of arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Timothy Gardner, please visit our flower store.