Effie Gardner Obituary

Effie T. Gardner, aged 87, originally from Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was the youngest of five siblings born to Effie Dean Jackson Tyler and Robert Crump Tyler. She began her piano studies at an early age and continued through high school. Upon graduating from Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1955, she proceeded to enroll at Talledega College in Talledega, Alabama, where she majored in music education. During her time at Talledega, she took up the organ and became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
After earning her B.A. degree in Music Education from Talledega College in 1959, she commenced her teaching career at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Following her tenure at Benedict College, she returned to Chicago and began teaching within the Chicago Public School System. While teaching in Chicago, she successfully trained a ninety-voice high school choir from a predominantly black high school, leading them to perform seven concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Effie was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Chicago, Illinois, where she served as the Assistant Organist and Assistant Director of Choirs. Additionally, she obtained a Master's degree in
Music Education from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, in 1963. During her studies at Roosevelt University, she met Burgess Gardner, who was also a student there. They eventually married and had three children: Marian, Derrick, and Vincent. In 1976, Effie began her studies at Michigan State University to obtain a Ph.D. in Music. She completed her Ph.D. in 1979. The title of her dissertation is An Analysis Of The Technique And Style Of Selected Black American Composers Of Contemporary Choral Music. In 1978, they relocated to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Effie sought a position at Hampton University, where she was appointed as a Professor of Music Education. Additionally, she served as the Supervisor of Student Teaching, overseeing music education majors who were student teaching in local school districts. Other roles she held included Director of the Pre-College Program and Chair of the Music Department. She established the Vocal Jazz Choir (Jzazz). From 1991 to 1993, she organized the Hampton University/Count Basie Orchestra Jazz Residency, which featured the Count Basie Orchestra in
a week-long series of master classes for high school and university jazz ensembles and students. Effie was also a member of MENC (National Association for Music Education), NAJE (National Association of Jazz Educators), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), Pi Kappa Lamba Music Fraternity, and VMEA (Virginia Music Educators Association). While employed at Hampton University, she also began her work at First Baptist Church of Hampton.
She initially served as an organist and later became the Minister of Music. During her tenure at First 1 Baptist, she founded the Effie T. Gardner Handbell Choir and the Gospel Choir. She worked at First Baptist Church of Hampton for 33 years. She is survived by her three children: Marian (Harry), Derrick, and Vincent (Belinda). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Baron Tyler Freeman, Harry Thomas Freeman V, Laila Simone Gardner, Davin Asiel Gardner, Kingston Emmanuel Gardner, and Grayson Xavier Gardner. Additionally, she is survived by Lamar Gardner and numerous family members and friends.