Terry, affectionately called "Blue," was born January 16, 1957, to the late Annie Kate Gardner in Fairfield, Alabama.

Upon graduation from Fairfield School in 1975, Terry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Palms, California at Camp 29 Palms. He was honorably discharged in 1981.

Blue lived in Van Nuys, California for many years, working for Fed-Ex. He returned back home to Alabama in approximately 1995 and mastered many jobs; his last place of employment was as a Letter Carrier in Birmingham, Alabama.

He is survived by a twin sister and three brothers; sister, Sherry Gardner Woods of Fairfield, AL; brothers, Maurice Gardner (Robbie Joan) of Columbus, OH, Bernard Gardner (Valeria) of Fairfield, AL and Henry Gardner (Renae) of Fairfield, AL; a very special cousin, Gloria Holmes of Birmingham, AL; nephews, Weldon Gardner, Justin Allen, Brian Gardner, Jonathan Gardner and Nicholas Gardner; and nieces, Cherise G. Fischer, Jerae and Jaylin Smith, and Serenity Gomez.