Erla Mae Gardner

Erla Mae Gardner, born on March 15, 1946, in Bauxite, Arkansas, peacefully went to be with the Lord surrounded by her family on January 20, 2025. A faithful Christian who had been met by God’s grace and extended it to others and a devoted educator, Erla made a lasting impact on her community. She was one of the first kindergarten teachers in Arkansas and dedicated over 40 years to nurturing and shaping young minds, a testament to her unwavering passion for education.

Erla achieved her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas, a milestone that underscored her commitment to her profession. Her love for teaching extended beyond the classroom; she infused joy and creativity into each lesson, fostering a love of reading and learning in her students.

A woman of deep faith, Erla loved the Lord, and after beating breast cancer, she encouraged others for more than 30 years by serving often with her church community in various ways. This community was dear to her as they supported her in return.

Her adventurous nature led her to explore the world, always eager to embark on new journeys. Erla had a profound love for her family, treasuring the moments spent with them in Benton, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia. She took great pleasure in reading, puzzles, and cultivating beautiful flowers in her yard. Eager to share her passions, she often gifted bulbs from her garden to friends to share God’s creation and beauty.

Erla’s legacy continues through her beloved family: her cherished daughter Jennifer (Mike) Brungardt; her adored grandchildren, Matthew (Alicia) Brungardt, Luke (Jordan) Brungardt, Sarah Brungardt, and Rachel Brungardt; and her great-granddaughter, Louisa Pearl. Erla is survived by her beloved siblings: Vickie (Tom) Reeves, Mike (JoAnn) Perry, Polly (Terry) Toney, Mona Brown, and James (Jennifer) Perry, as well as many other nieces, nephews, close family and friends who were near and dear to her heart.

Erla Mae Gardner was preceded in death by her parents, Earl M. and Katherine Perry who took her to church so she could hear the truth of the gospel.

Visitation will be held on January 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Benton, located at 211 S Market St, Benton, AR 72015.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Erla’s name to the North American Mission Board in support of student ministry or to the International Mission Board to advance the gospel. Erla was a deeply committed and long-time member of First Baptist Church; supporting her family in spreading the gospel around the world was of paramount importance to her.