Aretha Mae Gardner was born in Bainbridge, Georgia on September 29, 1947 to the late Huge Gardner and Ida Mae Clayton Holt.

She grew up in Camilla, Georgia and lived there most of her life.  At a young age she confessed Christ and joined Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Camilla, Georgia.  Aretha attended CCS (Mitchell County) Schools.  She later worked at Mitchell Manufacturing until she was no longer able to work.

Aretha was a loving and caring person to all her family and friends.  She called to check on everyone several times a day. She worked hard as a mother to six children.  She enjoyed spending time with family and most of all she lived a virtuous life.

She departed her life on November 18, 2022 to be with our heavenly father. "To know her was to love her until her last day on this earth".

Retha Mae leaves to cherish her memories her live-in spouse, Samuel Martin; children, Sharon (Horris) Gardner of Columbus, Georgia, Beryl (Pinssais Versil) Brown of Indianapolis, Indiana, Damon (Phyllis) Gardner of Eufaula Alabama, Kavisha (Bobby) Gardner of Camilla, Georgia, Cassandra Gardner and Katrina (Joseph) Lane of Albany, Georgia; siblings, Johnny Holt, Diana Holt of Camilla, Georgia, Gwendolyn Jackson of Dothan, Alabama, Shelia Clayton and Curtis (Latanja) Holt of Tallahassee, Florida,  Mary Williams, Annie (Michael) Reynolds, Mable (Robert) Davis and Freddie (Arline) Gardner of Camilla, Georgia, Ainnie Ruthe (Authur) Randell and Lee (Mary) Gardner of Pelham, Georgia, Bertha Gardner of Bainbridge Georgia, Mary Hewitt of Macon, Georgia, Minnie Frazier of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jerry (Mary) Gardner of Leary, Georgia; a special aunt, Rebecca Clayton of Camilla, Georgia; as well as a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins who will truly miss her.