On March 6, 1934, God sent to earth an angel, Elizabeth Philpot "Baby" Gardner born in Lenoir County, Seven Springs, North Carolina to the late Thaddeus William (Bill) Philpot and the late Lucy Mae (Roland) Philpot. She entered into her eternal heavenly home peacefully on March 22, 2013 @ 9:20 p.m. at home surrounded by family in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Baby, as she was affectionately known, was the youngest of three children. Her brother, John Robert (Bud) Philpot and sister, Esther Marie (Sister) Lewis, both preceded her in death. During their childhood, their parents adopted and raised a second sister, Eunice Blount. Elizabeth had a very close and special bond with each of her siblings. She would call Eunice daily just to say "I love you".

Elizabeth attended the public school system of LaGrange, North Carolina. In 1951 she was joined in holy matrimony to Lawrence Gardner Jr. To this union three children were born: Lucy LaVonte "Von" Gardner, Limba Earl Gardner, and Fontella MsChelle Frost. Upon the death of her eldest daughter. Lucy "Von", she adopted her daughter, Sharon Denise Gardner, whom she loved and raised as her own. Elizabeth was extremely close to her youngest dayghter Fontella. They were so close that they were almost one person. They would die for each other. She adored her only biological grandson who was the prince of her heart. Joey could do no wrong in her eyes. Her granddaughter, Stacey was her princess and the angel of her eyes. Shenise and Samiah, she adored as her own. She had a very special relationship with her son-in-law, Dwayne. He was very instrumental in her day to day medical needs and remained by her side until the very moment she took her last breathe.

During her journey here on earth she worked extremely hard making many sacrifices to raise and provide for her children on her own. She was employed by Linens of the Week, Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Eastern Airlines, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) until she was medically retired.

Elizabeth had a host of nieces and nephews and loved each of them dearly. She had a special bond with nieces, Theresa "Jean" Philpot, Valencia Philpot, Cotilder "T.C." Marshall and Brinder Mohammad, she called them "her babies". Her nephews, Delmost (Del) Lewis, Robert LeVerne Philpot and Robert Anderson, were her hearts and she talked about each of them daily. She also had a special place in her heart for her great niece, Diamond Blount.

Elizabeth was an amazing woman of God. She loved to serve and testify about the goodness of the Lord. She was a woman of integrity and commitment. She dedicated her entire life to her children and grandchildren. She would sacrifice her life if it meant saving her family. She had a ministry of crocheting. Crocheting was a special way that she had to show her family just how much she loved them. If you looked into her eyes, you would see them sparkle after she completed each, hat, scarf, purse or blanket. With each stitch, she would say that stitch was special because it was helping her to stitch the family together. "Baby" felt strongly that her mission was to get her family closer. She was a strong, humbled and kind hearted woman. She was a fighter who faced many, mountains that she had to climb. She had only agape love in her heart and a faith that was unwavering. She had unconditional love. If you ever needed prayer or just a hug, you could always count on her. Her most important characteristic is that she was a child of God and we are sure that she is resting in the bosom of our Father in heaven.

Elizabeth Leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories: two daughters; Fontella MsChelle Frost and Sharon Denise Gardner: a son, Limba Earl Gardner: a son-in-law, Dwayne Anthony Frost, Sr.; a sister, Eunice Blount; seven granddaughters; Stacey Keirra Elizabeth Acevedo, LaVonte Shenise, Kimberly, Keisha, Crystal, Yolanda and Lamara Gardner; four grandsons; Joey Acevedo II, Dwayne Frost Jr., Jamie Wylie and Joey Moore; eleven great-grandchildren; Jasmere, Avante, Reginald Davonte, Ricardo, Khadija, Dymond, Reginald Ramel, Alexis, Shaniyah, Malasia, and Raychelle: two great great-grandcildren: Samiah Chatmon and Malijah Gardner; an aunt, Helen mae Philpot; four sister-in-law; Irene Sutton, Avan Rouse, Lois Flowers and Annie Ruth Philpot; two brothers-in-law; Albert Lewis and Otha Blount: three favorite cousins Geraldine Gardner, Alean "Sister Gal" Lawson and Gloria Blount; two goddaughters; Geraldine Proctor and Gail Bethel: fourteen god-grandchildren; Autumn Byrd, Chandler Brown, Daniel Fox, Eric Archer, Jamal Pelt, Adrian Johnson, William Proctor; Freddy Devito, James Quarles, James Story, Pebbles Proctor, Monica Edmondson, Naomi Mills, and Destiny Blount; special friends; Patricia Frost(pat pat), Sarah Seay, David (mike) Frost, Sharron Frost, and Dianne Penn; and a host of other family and friends.