Mr. Ernest "Pete" Gardner, 79, of State Line, MS passed from this life Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS. He was born in Fruitdale, AL on Thursday, May 8, 1947, to the late Ernest A. Gardner, Sr. and Hattie Dearman. He was a member of County Line Baptist Church. He retired as a Deputy with the Washington County Sheriff's Department.

 Mr. Gardner is preceded in death by his father, Ernest A. Gardner, Sr.; mother, Hattie Dearman; three brothers, James Gardner, Johnny Gardner, and David Gardner. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marilyn Gardner of State Line, MS; two daughters, Stacy Shirley of State Line, MS and Sedji Doxey (Kevin) of Meridian, MS; sister, Beatrice Grimes of Georgia; four grandchildren, Derek Thornton (Brooke), Kaleb Thornton (Kaley), all of State Line, MS, Ethan Doxey (Hannah), and Mason Doxey, all of Meridian, MS; two great grandchildren, Brody Thornton and Kennedy Thornton.

 Visitation for Mr. Gardner will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday, November 9, 2026, at County Line Baptist Church, 614 County Line Church Road, State Line, MS 39362. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, November 9, 2026, at County Line Baptist Church in State Line, MS with Rev. Tim Martin officiating. Interment will be in Grace Williams Cemetery in Fruitdale, AL.