Josephine Mary Louise William Hopkins Umstead Gardner was born on June 18, 1937, to Harry L. and Nora E. Umstead in Durham, NC. She grew up as one of the youngest, with six brothers and one sister: Bennie, Leo, Matthew, John, Rosalie, Cornelius, and Roosevelt Thomas. She learned to love the Lord early in life, attending Mount Level Baptist Church every Sunday with her Grandma Dora and Grandpa John Hopkins. Through these two things, faith and family quickly became paramount.
She spent her early years in Durham, NC, before the family moved to New York in 1945. She attended secondary school in New Rochelle, and they would eventually settle in Mount Vernon, with multiple generations living under one roof. After high school, she attended Hunter College in New York City, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1962. As the civil rights movement heightened, Josephine became involved by joining the NAACP. During her time, she was honored as Miss NAACP and attended Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s March on Washington in 1963. Following in the steps of her sister and other family members, she first began her career as a nurse. However, using her creativity and sweet, calming personality, she would go on to become an early education schoolteacher. This profession suited her well, as she would teach at the award-winning Bethany-Lenox Hill Daycare Center, where she cared for children of United Nations Representatives for over 38 years.
On November 5th, 1961, she married the love of her life, James Allie Gardner, a kind and faith- centered man also from North Carolina. Josephine introduced James to her favorite pastime, bowling, building friendships, and community at the Bowling Alley. In 1966, she gave birth to their first of three children, Joeffrey. Their second son, Jaimie, was born 7 years later, and their daughter Jemmiel the following year. Bowling soon turned into a family affair. It became an integral part of her children’s lives, always sharing the quote, “A family that bowls together stays together.” She bowled not only with Friendly Bowling Club (FBC) for many years with Allie, but also parent/child leagues and tournaments throughout the years with her children, National Tournaments, and senior leagues later in life.
Family was incredibly important to Josephine. She was known as Aunt Jo by her numerous nieces and nephews and affectionately called Nana by her six grandchildren. She also always had a cat that kept her company and was like a part of the family. She loved her furry companions, including Trisha, Spotty, Powder Puff, and lastly Hamilton, a stray who strolled right into the middle of her 85th birthday celebration, finding room on her lap and a forever home. Everyone and anyone could sense her warm heart and caring spirit, even a cat.
Of all the things to know about Josephine, she most importantly was a good and faithful servant of the Lord. Deaconess Gardner, lovingly known as Mother Gardner, spent eighty years of her life dedicated to serving GOD at Bethesda Baptist church. She gave back through her God-given passion for teaching and caring for young people. She assisted with scholarship dinners and taught both Sunday and Vacation Bible School. Additionally, she was a member of the Sanctuary choir, served on the Board of Missions, and helped those less fortunate through Thanksgiving baskets and clothing drives. She also served at “Lad’s Lunch,” and she did it as always with a smile. It always brought her personal joy to hear a selection from the “Mighty Male Chorus.” Through daily prayer and praise, she lived her life by her favorite scripture in the Bible, Mark 10:27, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
On July 16, 2026, the Lord called her home after a life well lived as a humble and joyous servant, loving daughter and sister, beloved wife, cherished mother and Nana, treasured Aunt, and supportive friend and confidant. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, sister Rose, brothers, and her husband of 32 years. She is survived by her children Joeffrey Gardner (wife Traci) of Hawthorne, NY, Jaimie Gardner (wife Alexis) of North Plainfield NJ, and Jemmiel Gardner of Charlotte NC; her grandchildren Jailyn, Amaree, Jordyn, James, Joelle and Jared; her sister Christa Umstead Johnson of Durham NC, and brother Cornelius Umstead, Mount Vernon, NY; her nieces and nephews; family and friends; as well as her church family at Bethesda Baptist.
A memorial service will be held at Bethesda Baptist church on August 4, 2026 at 9-1 pm. The family would like to thank Bethesda Baptist Church, the Bereavement Ministry, Hospitality Committee, and Pastor Horace Sanders Jr for hosting the homegoing service and all that are able to attend either in person or online.
