Carrie Sylvia Gardner

Carrie Sylvia Porter Bauer Gardner passed away peacefully on April 4th at the age of 98, after a long life filled with love, family, friendship, and faith. She was born on January 25, 1928, in Salemburg, North Carolina-a place she fondly and humorously referred to as the "Holy Land." She was the daughter of Hughie and Beulah Porter and the proud younger sister of Doc, John Lal, and James A. Porter. She remained close to her family throughout her life and was a devoted and adoring aunt to her nieces and nephews. After graduating from high school, Sylvia attended East Carolina Teachers College where she met the first love of her life and many dear friends. She earned a degree in English and later taught middle school before starting her family.

Sylvia will be remembered for the way she loved-her family, her friends, her faith, and the stories she shared so easily. She was an active member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church and found great joy in the community. She shared her passion for antiquing by opening Plaza Potpourri, welcoming others into something she truly loved. The beach was her happy place, whether she was walking with a friend, hunting for sea glass with her grandchildren, or simply soaking up the sun. She loved a good game of bridge, and rarely missed a chance to gather people around her table. Sylvia was blessed to find true love twice-first with Len Bauer, and later with Paul Gardner.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husbands, Len Bauer (1969) and Paul Gardner (2020), both of whom she loved deeply. She is survived by her daughter, Jo Lynn Byrd, and son-in-law Zack Byrd of Raleigh, and her son, Len Bauer III of Watauga Lake, Tennessee.

Her greatest joy was her family. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Lauren Byrd, Caroline (Drew) Landen, Kody Bauer, Lili Bauer, and Sam Bauer. One of Sylvia's greatest gifts was getting to spend ten years as a great-grandmother to Ella and Sadie Landen, a role that brought her tremendous pride and delight. Through her marriage to Paul, Sylvia's family grew even larger, and she welcomed them all with love. She is also survived by David Gardner (Joyce) of Raleigh, Ann Blomyer (Robert) of Dallas, and Alice Braziel of Brandon, Florida, along with many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Emily Marie Gardner, Jacob Still (Lauren), Lara Dietz (Cole), Helen Otero, Scott Blomyer, Shari Blomyer Talley, and great-grandchildren Elise, Caleb and Nolan Still, and Marina Otero. 

A celebration of Sylvia's life will be held at 1:00 pm on May 9th at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh. Sylvia would want to be remembered not for the facts of her life, but for the stories she told, the laughter she shared, and the way she made people feel when they were with her. She never let the truth get in the way of a good story and rarely missed a chance to turn an ordinary moment into something memorable.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hayes Barton Baptist Church TV Ministry, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or the Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC 27615.