Mrs. Cynthia Bates Gardner

Mrs. Cynthia Bates Gardner of Tampa, FL, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2025. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Heaven Destiny Assembly of God, 4104 E. Ellicott Street, Tampa, FL 33610, with Apostle B.C. Cochran, Officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens, 11005 U.S. Highway 301 N., Thonotosassa, FL 33592.

Mrs. Cynthia Bates Gardner was born on March 22, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. She was a resident of Tampa, FL, for 34 years. She attended Hillsborough Community College and was a member of Heaven Destiny Assembly of God. She was employed as a Financial Aid Advisor at the University of South Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kevin Gardner; mother, Bessie Ervin and bonus son, Kalvin Williams.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: children, Antoine Reaves, Trenetta Rouse and Terrence Bates-Rouse; bonus children, Katrina Williams, Kevin Williams, Amira Williams, Kelnica and Kelvina Gardner; brother, Robert Reaves Jr.; sisters, Lorette Cherry and Gail Grace (Seyerick Grace; father-in-law, Otto Miller; sister-in-love, Melissa Miller, Makeba Neal, Darryl Jones and Tim Ginyard; 21 grandchildren, The Browns Family, The Rouse Family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever remember her love, wisdom and gentle spirit.

Cynthia’s memory will live through the lives she touched, the family she nurtured, and the love she freely gave.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Heaven Destiny Assembly of God, 4104 E. Ellicott Street, Tampa, FL 33610.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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