Mr. Ulysses Gardenhire

Ulysses Gardenhire, Sr., a man with a devoted love for God and his family, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Doctor’s Community Hospital in Lanham, Maryland. He was 92 years old. Ulysses was a native of South Carolina who was born to the parents of Elma Holloway and Jacob Gardenhire on April 8, 1929. As a child, Ulysses went to public school and worked with his family on a tobacco farm. As a young man, Ulysses had a mind to serve the Lord and was gifted with the knowledge and wisdom of business. During his late teens and early 20s, he worked to build the Clark Hill Dam. Working on the Dam helped him to acquire and develop skills that he will later use to purchase property and build his first house in Clark Hill South Carolina, own a theater (the only black theater in Clark Hill), build two more homes, and start his company named Gardner’s Concrete Company. At the age of 27, he married Helen Johnson on August 01, 1961; She bore 5 children (Clarenda Gardner, Linda Gardner, Ulysses Gardner, Jr. (Wynola), Blonda Tillman (Marcus), Steven Gardner (Erin). Ulysses and Helen were happily married for 56 years. His beloved wife, Helen. Helen Gardner preceded him in death in 2017. Ulysses cherished his family and worked hard to provide for them. Ulysses was also a man of great faith. He taught his children about Jesus Christ at an early age. He strongly encouraged his family to attend church three times a week and support the church through tithing and service. He taught his family how to pray by leading his family in prayer every night and worshipping God through song and reading of the Holy Bible. At his local church, he served as choir director and assisted with building and maintaining the church. Ulysses Gardenhire, Sr. was an extraordinary man. Whatever he wanted to do he strived to make it happen. He taught himself how to play the guitar, read music, play the piano, and start and manage a business. Yet, he was wise enough to know that he needed God’s strong hand to lead and guide him, and all the praise and honor belongs to God. He is survived by his 5 children and his grandchildren (Christine Estopare (Isaac), Ulysses Gardner III, Stephanie Gardner, Brian Tillman, Steven Gardner, Vashti Tillman, Rebecca Tillman, Sadie Gardner, and Jacob Gardner. The following scriptures describes his life and his first love: Psalms 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalms 150:1-6 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary. Praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his might acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: Praise him with tumbrel a dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the Loud cymbals: Praise him upon the high sounding cymbals: Let everything that hath breath Praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

Mr. Ulysses Gardenhire

April 8, 1929 - August 25, 2021