Loretta Estella Phillips Gardner, age 79 of Ozark, Missouri passed from this life Friday, July 12, 2019 in Mercy Hospital, Springfield. She was married 56 years to Major Donald Gardner, United States Army Retired. She was born July 21, 1939 in Neodesha, Kansas and graduated from Pittsburgh State University as an Elementary educator. Following Don’s military postings she lived throughout the United States and Europe and most recently settling in Ozark and Nixa, Missouri. Loretta was an artist, a creative writer and business woman creating Primitive Americana decor items marketed through major gift stores in the United States. Her creative love was altered art and paper ephemera, off-beat collections and her trademark tennis shoes.
In addition to her husband, Loretta is also survived by two sons Britt Gardner and Troy Gardner and their families including five grandchildren all living in Nixa; she is also survived by a brother Dean Phillips and wife of Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Arrangements under the care of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. A private family service honoring her life will be celebrated at a later date.
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