On Sunday, December 29, 2019, at 10:30am, Gum Branch Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC will honor the legacy of Hattie Gardner and the sacrificial lifestyle she led to spread the good news of the Gospel.

Hattie Gardner became an International Missionary in 1935 and served for 38 years in Nigeria, retiring in 1973 at the age of 70. During her years of service, Gardner taught for 15 years in the Baptist girls’ schools and later worked among the Batonu tribe of eastern Nigeria. Upon her retirement, she designated funds to benefit those entering the mission field through scholarships. With no applicants, the funds sat idle. However, a family member of Hattie Gardner and members of Gum Branch Baptist Church decided to utilize the funds and give a portion to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The congregation voted to gift $20,000 from the Hattie Gardner Trust to the offering.

To read more on the work of Hattie Gardner, read the article below, printed by Baptist Press on September 19, 1985, following Gardner’s passing.