Sharon Lyn Gardner

Sharon Lyn Gardner of Bandera, TX went to her heavenly home at sunrise on April 22, 2024 surrounded by her family.

Sherri was born in Independence, Kansas on March 18,1945 to Col. Howard Busby and Esther Marie Hudiburg. She was a military brat (Army), and lived in Chicago, Illinois, Coco Beach, Florida, Yokohama, Japan, Arlington, Virginia and El Paso, Texas. In Coco Beach she caught “cheerleading fever” as both of her older sisters were cheerleaders, and she became the mascot for the HS squad.  She blossomed further in El Paso, where she was a graduate of Burges High School. As a senior she served on the yearbook staff, excelled as head cheerleader, and also received the honor of Her Royal Majesty “Burges in Bloom” Queen.  While attending Burges, Sherri fostered a love for dancing as the president of the modern dance club, “Orchesis”.  

After HS, Sherri attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she met her future husband and love of her life Robert Allen Gardner, Jr. They were married in 1966, and she loved him until his passing in 2021. 

Sherri and Allen started a family in 1968 with the birth of their first child, Lyn Marie. In 1971, they welcomed twins, Bobby and Beth. Sherri was heavily involved in all her children’s activities and interests from soccer, horseback riding, gymnastics, and music. 

Her love for the arts continued throughout her life including studying at Glen Hunsucker’s Dance Center, teaching dance lessons to children, and participating in local musical productions in Houston. Sherri also developed a very strong passion for animals and nature, and in 1999 she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she and Allen purchased a picturesque piece of land in the Texas Hill Country where they each spent their last day on earth. 

Sherri is survived by her daughter Lyn Marie Gardner, son Bobby Gardner and wife Janette Masten Gardner and grandchildren Robby and Gracen Gardner, sister Jackie Davis, brother Howard Hudiburg, brother-in-law Jim Gardner, sister-in-law Sally Schillaci, and their families.  She was preceded in death by daughter Beth Grace, husband Allen Gardner, and her sister Carol Ann Hitt.

A Celebration of Life will be held at her home in Bandera at 3:00 PM Saturday, April 27th.  Comfortable dress is encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kerrville Pets Alive online: kerrvillepetsalive.org, or by mail, 317 Sidney Baker S., Ste. 400, PMB 345, Kerrville, Texas 78028.