Staff report

Emma H. Gardner is the Eastern Virginia Association’s &uot;Woman of the Year.&uot;

She is married to Norman L. Gardner. They have two children, N. Lorain Gardner Jr.

married to Kathy, and Brenda G. Peace, married to David, and five grandchildren, Shirley, Gary, Tabitha, Christopher, and Kristi.

Gardner is a life long member of Holy Neck United Methodist Church of Christ, located in Suffolk.

She is an active member of her church’s Women’s Fellowship, in which she has held most of the offices. Gardner is also an active member of the adult choir, helps with Vacation Bible School and in many other areas if needed.

She is a gracious helper in any project with which she is working. The women of Holy Neck depend on Gardner to remember things for them considering that she has the best memory of any of the ladies.

Gardner is president of her Sunday School class, the Ladies Bible Class, and has been an assistant teacher also.

Gardner has also extended herself to numerous other organizations including the Order of the Eastern Star, Suffolk Extension Leadership Council, Box Elder Homemakers and local senior activities. Gardner participates in several groups with her husband.

Gardner is retired from the Suffolk Public Schools where she taught for 23 years. Norman is retired from the International Paper, and they are enjoying their retirement by seeing the country in their Class A motorhome.

In the church, Emma has been district representative, secretary, treasurer, and president. She has attended summer conferences and EVA meetings for many years. In 2003, she attended the regional meeting in Shoco Spring, Ala.