Dr. Janet Kay Gardner of Rome, Georgia, died after a brief illness at her home on Saturday, May 17, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. Kay was born on December 13, 1948, in Henderson, Kentucky, the second daughter of Bob and Mildred Gardner.  She attended Henderson schools, graduating as valedictorian from Henderson City High in 1966.

From there, Kay attended University of Kentucky where she earned a B.A. in French, M.A. in Spanish, and PhD in Spanish, while being named Summa Cum Laude and being admitted to Phi Beta Kappa.  After graduation, Dr. Gardner took a job as Assistant Professor of Spanish and Spanish Literature in a career that lasted 33 years at Berry College in Rome, GA.  Kay was a gifted teacher who worked hard to instill in her students not only a proficiency in the Spanish language but also an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of Spanish and Latin culture.  She led many trips to Spain, with a special focus on her beloved Madrid.  Kay was instrumental in establishing Berry's Study Abroad program and served as its first director.  In this role, she inspired countless students to venture beyond the United States for truly life-changing educational experiences.  Kay also enlarged and modernized Berry's language lab and was its director for several years.  When she retired, the college named the lab in her honor.

During her years at Berry, Dr. Gardner won numerous awards from her students and peers.  Among these are The Hispanic Honor Society, Georgia Foreign Language Teacher of the Year, Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award, and the Martindale Award of Distinction.  While at Berry, Kay was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  She often said that M.S. would not define her life, and it did not.  One of her proudest accomplishments was working to organize the Berry M.S. Walk, which has raised thousands of dollars over the years for M.S. research.

Kay was a brilliant scholar who did not take herself too seriously.  She loved to laugh, she loved to learn, and she loved a great conversation.  She also treasured her family, friends, flowers, dogs, puzzles, and books.  She was grounded in her faith, which was one of love and service that was instilled in her by Reverend Lyman Smith Allen at Immanuel Baptist Temple, and which served her well throughout her whole life.  She was a member of First Baptist in Rome for over forty years.

Kay Gardner was preceded in death by her parents, and cousin, Randy Sellers of Pendergrass, GA.

She is survived by her sister, Pam Gardner of Henderson, KY; dear friend, Julie Bumpus of Rome, GA, and her family, Frances Morgan and her family of Sturgis, KY; cousins, Randy Griffin (Linda) of Atlanta, GA, Kim Livesay (Bob) of Lexington, KY, Ed Sellers of Sullivan Island, SC; lifelong friends from Henderson, KY; and her much-loved Goldendoodle Reever Joy, as well as numerous cousins, friends, former students, and colleagues.

To honor Kay's life, please take every opportunity to hug your loved ones, adopt a pet, plant flowers, read books, give generously, and treasure every moment of your wonderful life.

A service will be held at the Berry College Memorial Chapel on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 1 p.m. with visitation from 11 a.m. until service time at the Chapel.  Dr. Tim Hobbs and Mr. Bill Davies will officiate.  A reception will follow at The Christopher Browning Pavilion at Oak Hill.

A Henderson service will be held at noon Friday, June 20, 2025, at Community Baptist Church where visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Dr. Tim Hobbs and the Reverend Mary M. Wrye will officiate.  Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery followed by a bereavement lunch for family and friends at the church.

Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Robert W. Gardner Endowed Scholarship at Berry College, 2277 Martha Berry Hwy, Mt. Berry, GA 30149, Heymann Hospice of Rome, GA, 420 E 2nd Ave #103, Rome, GA 30161, or Community Baptist Church, 1026 Pebble Creek Drive, Henderson, KY 42420.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.