Jesse Edward Gardner, Jr., was born July 30, 1953, the first of ten children, born to the late Jessie Edward  Sr. and Connie K. Gardner, of Florence, South Carolina.  He departed this life on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.

Jessie legally changed the spelling of his name to omit the “i”, therefore, acquiring the name of “Jesse”. He was affectionately known as “Ed” or “Cornbread” to his family and friends.

Jesse relocated to Newark, New Jersey at an early age, along with his family.  He attended and graduated from Southside High School in 1971, where he was a star athlete and quarterback of the football team.

After graduation, Jesse spent several years in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant.  After serving in the Air Force, Jesse returned to Newark, New Jersey to continue his education at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he studied engineering.

At an early age, Jesse was introduced to the Lord, as he was very knowledgeable of the Bible.  He loved watching sports, SCI FI movies, taking pictures and playing golf.

Jesse was employed several years with AT&T in Newark, New Jersey as a Consultant Engineer.  Upon moving back to the South, he became an Independent Contractor and Freelancer for computer programming and software.  He was employed with CNN, Time Warner, and Savannah River Plant, to name a few.

Jesse is proceeded in death by his sibling, Veronica.

Jesse leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Mary A. Wilson-Gardner of Columbia, South Carolina; two daughters, Tomika (Samad) Tillery of Stanhope, NJ; Sydney Gardner of Hampton, VA; One stepdaughter, Tawan Pierce (Atiba) of Florence, South Carolina and their sisters Shalika (Josh) Liggins of Newark, NJ and Francheska Manning of Columbia, South Carolina; eight grandchildren, Sasha, Saphia, Ashley, Christopher, Shayla, Christianna, Jasur and Fenyx; three brothers, Michael (Cecilia), Earl and Bryan Gardner; four sisters, Cynthia, Michaell, Daisy, Debra, and Mae Gardner, all of East Orange, New Jersey; and a host of other loving nieces and nephews, relatives and friends and his babies Al Juquan Thomason, Skye, Shania, Shalaya, and Sole Liggins, and his angel here on earth, Jaliyah Manning.

Jesse was an intelligent, witty, charismatic, a very loving and caring person with a smile that would light up a room.  His love for his family and friends was unmeasurable.  He will truly be missed.