Oneita M. Gardner

Oneita M. Gardner was born in South Bend, Indiana on November 29, 1938, to the late Albert Harris and Mable Oneida Maher. She later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a child, she suffered from polio but this did not stop her determination and drive. Ms. Gardner was a school secretary for the Milwaukee Public School System for over 30 years. She was one of the first black professionals to hold such a position. Her duties included data entry, secretarial responsibilities, and nurturing of young children. Ms. Gardner was preceded in death by her sister Ms. Dolores Davis of South Bend, Indiana. Ms. Gardner is survived by one daughter, Schontelle Powell (John). She was the proud grandmother of Damion, Rondon, and Qwenton. She is the great grandmother of LaShonte, Clara, Dalandis, Cameron, London, Jailyn, and Kendell. She has lived to be the great, great grandmother of Dan’nizjah, Messiah, Logan, and Lucas. Ms. Gardner enjoyed traveling with her daughter, shopping excursions, and fine dining with close friends and family. She had a special relationship with Mr. Alvin Moore who was her closest friend and confidant for over three decades. Al, your sincere and loving friendship will be missed. Granny Gardner will be missed but her legacy will be continued through the family that she so dearly loved.

In the last few months of her life she wrote “To my children: look up at the stars as I will be one of them that you can now count”.