Gardner J. Hobbs

Dr. Gardner J. Hobbs made his well-prepared transition from labor to reward at his residence Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Public viewing will be held Monday, July 22, 2024 at Davis Funeral Home, 725 Beech Street, Louisville, GA from 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. and at James Funeral Home, 630 N. Main Street, Wrens, GA. from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.

Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at James Funeral Home Chapel, Wrens, GA.

Active Pallbearers will be Robert Dixon, L. D. Boyd, Homer Hall, Marshall Curtis, Willie Huntley, L.W. Sherrod, Hugh Brown, T. J. Palmer, Cyrus Jackson, William Yancey, Johnny F. Brown, Robert Mathis, George Lane and Willie Williams.

Honorary Deacons include Trustees of New Zion Baptist Church; Retired Jefferson County Teachers; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Masonic Lodge #265; Lebanon Consistory #28; Stoklin Temple #22; SSU Foundation Members; and South Carolina University Faculty.

Gardner J. Hobbs was born October 7, 1932, in (Kelly Quarters) Wrens, Georgia, to the late Newman and Arlene Robinson Hobbs. Raised in a peaceful and religious home in the Wrens community, he became affiliated with the church of his family, the New Zion Baptist Church, where he remained for his entire life. During his years of worship at New Zion he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon and Treasurer.

He graduated from Wrens High School in 1949. Precocious at an early age, he was recognized by his elders as having an enormous amount of promise and leadership skills. After high school graduation, he enrolled at Savannah State College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 1957. In 1966, he earned a Master’s Degree in Science Education from Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee. He went on to subsequently earn an EdS and an EdD degree in Science Education from the University of Georgia. He did additional study at Atlanta University; Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas; and Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

His first teaching position was with the Hancock County Board of Education in Sparta, Georgia, where he was a science teacher, coach and assistant principal. He returned to his roots in Jefferson County and began teaching at Jefferson County High School. At Jefferson County High School, he was a science teacher and coach. The precociousness and leadership that were inherent in him as a child remained in him as an adult. His leadership ability earned him the principalship at the now defunct Tenders' Grove Elementary School, Avera, GA. He left Tenders’ Grove when school integration in the early seventies necessitated his taking the helm at Wrens High School and guiding it through the tumultuous years of forced integration in 1970. Dr. Hobbs’ stellar and fair leadership led to a successful and smooth combining of the two segments of his student body. He remained at Wrens High from 1970 until 1985, at which time he left to take a professorship at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC. He eventually retired from South Carolina State as a full tenured professor in the department of educational leadership. As a professor at South Carolina State, he taught school law, public school finance and school business management. He conducted seminars on school dissertation and supervised the Principals’ and Superintendents’ internships. As an administrator, he was privileged to serve and chair several Southern Association Accreditation Committees for schools and colleges in Georgia and South Carolina.

He served on several state educational committees and published articles in several professional journals. Always civic minded, he was elected to and served as Chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners for eight years. He was a member of several educational, professional, and civic organizations. He has held active memberships in the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Secondary School Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Phi Delta Kappa, the American Education Research Association, the National Association of College Professors, the National Organization on Legal Problems in Education, the National Alliance of Black School Educators, the National Black Child Development Institute , the American Association of University Professors and the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders.

Dr. Hobbs was a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, where he was honored as “Man of the Year” (1979 & 1980) by the Augusta Chapter of the fraternity. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 265, Wrens and the Lebanon Consistory No. 28, Stoklin Temple No. 22 (Shriner), a 33rd Degree Mason and a member of the United Supreme Council.

During his years of public school employment, he was President of the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals. He served as chairperson of the District Steering Committee for Staff Development for Educational Leaders, as well as, a member of the Governor's Honors’ Program (1981-1985); member of the faculty senate at South Carolina State University (1992-1995); and a member of the South Carolina State University Tenure/Promotion Committee (1994-2001).

Every now and then Earth is gifted with a rare individual who is destined by the Universe to significantly impact, improve and inspire the lives of others. Dr. Gardener James Hobbs was one of these rare individuals. He walked with dignitaries but he never lost touch with those around him. He lived by the adage that “until all of us have arrived; none of us have.” His goal was to make sure that “ all of us” had the tools to arrive. He dedicated his entire life to serving others. For that and so many other acts of benevolence, his legacy will remain etched in the fabric of this community long after today.

Dr. Hobbs was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-two years, Mrs. Gladys “Butch” Hobbs. His parents Newman Hobbs and Arlena Robinson Hobbs and his sister Vallie Hobbs McCoy await him in Eternity.

The life he lived; the lessons he taught; and the legacy he leaves will be forever treasured by his son James Gardner Little (Cheryl) Albany, Georgia. Left to recall the memories they shared with their grandfather are his two grandchildren, James Gardner Little Jr., Albany, GA and Cherdrina McCray (Emanuel) and her family. He leaves four devoted nieces and a nephew; Vicky (Leroy) Walker and her family, Wrens, GA; Brenda Walker and her family , Wrens, GA; Abraham (Vinnia) McCoy and family, Durham, NC; Fernandias (Michelle) McCoy and family, Wrens, GA. He was a major part of the lives of his four nieces, who were like grandchildren to him, Nichole R. Dilizia, Atlanta, GA; (and children), Isha Conteh, Huntsville, AL; and Nandi Conteh, Wrens, GA. Others who will be forever saddened by his earthly departure is his sister-in-law, Annette Wright, Conyers, GA. His stepping from Time to Eternity has left an empty place in the hearts of his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and sorrowing friends.

Davis Funeral Home of 725 Beech Street, Louisville, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements for Dr. Gardner James Hobbs.