Dorothy “Dot” Belle Gardner, a long-time resident of the Space Coast, died Saturday the 14^th of October, 2017 in her home surrounded by family.

Born in 1932 in Columbia, LA, to  the late Fred and Martha Roberts, Dot’s family moved to Midwest City, OK during her teenage years. She was the youngest of five daughters and tried to be the “boy” her dad always wanted playing basketball for the Midwest City “Bombers” High School and watching sports beside her dad.

In 1951, she married Richard C. Hood and they moved several times through Virginia, Texas, and Denver (loved the mountains) before settling in Brevard County and having five children. In 1968 she married local Deputy Sheriff D. G. Gardner welcoming his three children to the family and, one year later, a new baby girl.  Dot’s devotion to her children was always her top priority.

Dot was an administrative assistant on executive staffs for many organizations including Tinker Air Force Base, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Grumman Corp. (Melbourne), and an accountant for IBM (Cape Canaveral).  She worked for the Brevard County Sheriff’s office for 3 years and fondly remembers  when she served as the “bait” for several sting operations.

Dot enjoyed “actively” watching football serving as coach, referee, and cheerleader for her favorite Sooners and Gators. She would “sneak” out for oysters at a local restaurant, movie or a concert by the community orchestra.  But she most enjoyed keeping up with all her children and watching the sunrise.

Dot is survived by son Robert Hood; daughters Susan Ebert, Cheryl Steiner, Sandra Lee and Denise Evans;  and step-daughters Patricia Phillips, and Desiree Hearndon.  Her son Randall Hood and step-son Richard Gardner predeceased her.  She has 15 grandchildren and 9 great grand children and was “The  Very Best” Mother-in-law to her “In-law” children.

Dot requested a private burial and funeral. The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for her during her illness. Memorial gifts may be made to VITAS at www.vitascommunityconnection.org/community-connection