Ricky Lewis Gardner was born June 6, 1972. He was the first born to Phyllis Gardner and Aldo Reed Perkins (preceded him in death). He attended Beaumont High School. He confessed his faith to Christ at an early age at the New Rock Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor S.M. Wiggins. He also enjoyed fellowship with Friendly Temple Baptist Church.
Ricky was so full of life you never knew when something was wrong with him. He never wanted you to worry about Him. He always wanted to know what was going on with you, who did it, where are they, so he could fix the problem. Ricky was very protective of his family. He played no games. His children were his world and if you knew him you were not surprised.
Ricky was a hard worker. He worked numerous of jobs from age 14 until his death. His last place of employment was Twin City Security where he worked many locations throughout the St. Louis area.
On April 22, 2010 God stepped into his vast flower garden of love and picked a special rose (Ricky). His grandfather, Ramel Perkins preceded him in death.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Margaret D. Murdock of Peoria, IL: his loving mother, Phyllis Arnold (Kris Arnold); grandparents, LeRoy and Ruby Gardner, and Gloria Reed; a great-grandmother, Lottie Mae Jenkins of Rutherford, Tennessee; six children: Ritia Lever (Joshua Lever) of Eielson, AK; Ricky Damaro Gardner, St. Louis, MO; Kendrick Gardner-Jackson, St. Louis, MO; Ray Gardner of Killeen , TX; Rakeisha Gardner-Jackson, St. Louis, MO; Jeremy Mimes of Killeen TX; two stepsons, Keandrae Jackson, St. Louis, MO: and Dedric Murdock of Peoria, IL: two sisters, Shanonna Tillman and Ashanda Reed; one brother Dezmond Perkins; his one and only grand diva Ms. Jamia Sharice Lever and a host of special aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.