Laquetha Joan Guthrie Gardner, a believer in Jesus Christ as her lord and savior, a devoted educator, community leader and beloved matriarch, passed away peacefully May 25, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 89. Born on February 4, 1936, in the home of her grandparents in Antioch, Oklahoma, Laquetha was the cherished daughter of Ocie and Selma (Alexander) Guthrie. Raised in the close-knit community of Antioch, Laquetha began her education in a two-room schoolhouse, where her lifelong passion for learning first took root. She later graduated from Elmore City High School in 1954 and went on to earn both a bachelor’s degree in education in 1960 and a master’s degree in special education in 1976 from East Central University.
Laquetha married the love of her life, Ensign James Ray Gardner, in 1957 at the Elmore City Baptist Church. As a proud Naval officer’s wife, she balanced grace and resilience while building a life devoted to family, service and education. Her teaching career spanned decades, with a focus on special education in Washington, Oklahoma, and Tucson, Arizona, where she made a lasting impact on countless students and families, while also making lifelong friends with a group of teachers she would visit often in Tucson.
An accomplished and active member of numerous lineage and historical organizations, Laquetha’s affiliations included the Daughters of the American Revolution, First Families of the Twin Territories, United Daughters of the Confederacy, National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society United States Daughters of 1812, the Oklahoma Genealogical Society and the Antioch Community Association. Through her efforts, the Antioch schoolhouse where she first learned to read and write was recognized by the Historical Society—a testament to her passion for preserving the past.
Laquetha also served as president of the Oklahoma City Chapter of Gold Star Wives, dedicating herself to serving the needs of military widows with strength, compassion, and leadership. She found joy in honoring traditions and supporting fellow military families. Laquetha was one of the 12 founding members of the Oasis Church in Tucson, Arizona. Her hobbies included genealogy, sewing, scrapbooking and baking and decorating elaborate gingerbread houses, especially with her great nieces and their classmates. She taught by example—instilling the values of independence, education, self-sufficiency, and most importantly, family.
Laquetha was a breast cancer survivor whose strength, faith and joy in life inspired all who knew her. Among the many highlights of her life, she was most proud of being a Navy wife, a mother and a guiding light to the younger generations in her family and community. She leaves behind a legacy of love, education, heritage and service that will continue to uplift and inspire generations to come.
Laquetha is survived by her daughters, Betsy Gardner, Suzanne Gardner-Jacobs and husband Bernie Jacobs, and Junko Ozaki; grandson, Austin Penner; granddaughters, Nicki Ozaki, Sheena Ozaki and Desiree Jones; nieces, Hope Kelley and Jeff Blake, and Jeannie Terrell and husband Joe; nephews, Shon McWhirter, Shan McWhirter and wife Angie, Randy Ivey and wife Lesa, and Tom Gardner and wife Jana; sisters-in-law, Norma Ivey and Jimmie Ellen Gardner; great-nieces and nephews, Dalton McWhirter, Mikayla Dover and husband RJ, Shyann McWhirter, Johnna Webb and husband Brett, Siera McWhirter, and Addison Kelley; four very special great-grand nieces and nephews, and a host of other friends and family.
Laquetha is preceded in death by her husband, James Ray Gardner; daughter, Gayle Ann Gardner; parents, Ocie and Selma Guthrie; sisters, Patricia Sparks and Johnnie McWhirter; and brothers-in-law, Robert Gardner and Raymond Ivey.
Services for Laquetha were held Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Wooster Funeral Home in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, with interment at Antioch Cemetery in Antioch, Oklahoma. If you would like to send your condolences you may do so at Wooster Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
