Wes Randolph Gardner

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call:
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found my place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too shall miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow:
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savoured much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my life seemed all too brief:
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me;
God wanted me now, He set me free.

WES RANDOLPH GARDNER suddenly departed from his family and friends after a short-term illness on December 6, 2021.

He was born January 22, 1956 in Manhattan, New York City, the son of Miriam Steele and Isaac Randolph Gardner. He was raised by Kenneth Steele, his stepfather.

In 1977, he graduated from Kennedy High School in the Bronx. He attended Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina for one year. After one year, he enlisted in the Navy, ranking as an Operation Specialist Seaman (OSSN). He was stationed on the USS Barney and the USS Doyle, where he was honorably discharged in 1984.

In the late 1990’s, Wes gave his life to Jesus Christ, asking for the forgiveness of His sins. He considered Times Square Church his home, making many loving and caring relationships. Wes had the gift of helps starting out in the Helps Ministry. He loved to serve! He joined the Deaf Ministry where he showed great love, support and concern for the needs of the Deaf Community. He loved learning and communicating in American Sign Language!

In 2007, He faithfully served in missions to Burundi, Africa serving at a Deaf and Deaf-Blind school. How the children loved him! On his deathbed, he said the trip to Africa was the best time of his life.

With all his heart, he also loved his daughter, Latifa Venezuela, from Dover, Delaware, his son, Wes Anderson Jr. from Manhattan, New York City, and Elminah Anderson, from Manhattan, NY, the mother of his children and two grandchildren: Milton Venezuela Jr. and Amber Venezuela, from Dover, Delaware.  He is also survived by two brothers, a sister, and a sister in law: Walter Sheldon and Arline Steele from Manhattan, NY, Sheldon Steele, from Bronx, NY, and Georgette Saul, from Wilmington North Carolina; two uncles: Henry E. Bogan Jr. , from Buffalo, NY and Zernial M. Bogan, from Georgia, three aunts: Andrea Bethune, from Bronx, NY, Jacqueline Bogan, from Bronx, NY, and Winona Thomas, from North Carolina, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, two brothers and a sister: Junior Anderson, Jeffery Anderson, Deborah Anderson and a beloved nephew, Cory Steele.  

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