The youngest of seven children, Mildred Busby Gardner was born June 28, 1921, to Edgar E. and Isabella Dansby Busby of the House community. Growing up on the family farm created a lifelong love for country life. That included a large garden which expanded every year and eventually contained an endless pea patch. Her enthusiasm was not always shared by her two daughters whose fingers still bear faint stains from purple hull peas.
After high school, Mildred attended East Central Community College and Mississippi State. Her teaching career included Sebastopol, County Line, House and Union, retiring with 37 years in education. Her passion for education influenced many students. She always felt surprised and humbled when former students would tell her how much her classes had helped them.
One day while she was attending East Central, a handsome young man drove by and saw her. He tooted the car horn and waved. She ignored him. About a year later fate brought them together again, and a spark was ignited. Soon the young man deployed with the USMC for World War II duty in the South Pacific. Many letters were exchanged. Mildred sent him many homemade goodies. When he returned home, they married on December 6, 1945.
Over the next few years, they welcomed two daughters of whom they were mostly proud. When boundaries were overstepped, regret soon set in as Mildred headed out the back door to the Bush of Switches. Lessons were learned...for a while!
Mildred was a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted wife and beloved teacher. A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Union, she found solace and strength in her faith. She will be greatly missed, yet fondly remembered, by family as well as others whose lives she influenced with kindness, wisdom and dedication.
Mildred is survived by daughters, Linda Henley (Bill) and Nancy Gardner, and by her grandson, Michael Henley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Gardner. How blessed and thankful we were to have her.
Paid Obituary
