Michelle Dawn Gardner Proctor, age 49, died January 26, 2016 of acute myeloid leukemia while in South Padre Island, TX ,on her final adventure with her family. She was born July 6, 1966 in Douglas, Wyoming to Everett and Louise Lees Gardner. She grew up in Woodward, OK where she spent her days playing with siblings, singing, making mud pies (even at a young age she loved to cook), hanging out in the old school bus and taking care of all the animals that the family raised, including the duck that her sister named Henry-Sally Anne. She was a happy child and would talk to anyone. In her teen years she moved with her family to Missouri where she met Eric E. Proctor. They were married May 19, 1990. They later divorced. Together they were the proud parents of two children, daughter, Kellsie and son Chase. Michelle had always wanted to be a mother, and she said that her kids were the best thing that she ever did. Michelle ran a daycare from her home while raising her own children. Later when her kids were older, she started working outside the home. She first worked for Scholastic Books. Later she began work at Wal-Mart There she found her dream job--getting paid to talk with people. During her years at Wal-Mart Home office, she trained many people in the art of customer service. Besides being a mother, this was her favorite job. Michelle was a fantastic cook and showed her love for others by cooking for them. For years she carried on her mother's tradition of making fudge at Christmas. Music was a part of her life, every day Michelle loved to sing and and listen to music ad enjoyed picking a song of the day. During her battle with cancer, Michelle began to see the many tender mercies of the Lord an she was blessed with the ability to recognize them all around her. Although her time on earth was short, she was so thankful for the extra months she was given due to her brother Paul's donation of bine marrow. She is survived by her daughter, Kellsie and grandsons, Reese and Mathew of Bentonville, her son Chase of Bentonville; her father, Everett (Carol) Gardner of Wyandotte, OK; sister, Sherri (Vern) Heward of Roy UT; brother, Dwyne (Sara) Gardner of Waynesville,OH; brother Paul (Nora) of Noel, MO; long-time friend, Sharleen Belt who was like a second mother to Michelle and her 2 best friends who were like sisters, Michelle Brasseaux-Fultz and Jeannie Stenson. The family would like to offer special thanks to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN-the 7th and 9th floor nurses; bone marrow transplant team and Dr. S Hashmi, all who provided wonderful care; her Wal-Mart Family and Bishop Craig Cude. Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Monday, February 1 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1101 NE McCollum Dr., Bentonville, AR 72712, with Bishop Craig Cude officiating. Friends may visit with the family at the church prior to the services from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. A private interment will be at the Benton County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are under the direction of Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home, 3800 Walnut, Rogers, Arkansas On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.bentoncountymerorialpark.com Visitation 9:30 AM Monday, February 1st, 2016
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Funeral 11:00 AM Monday, February 1st, 2016
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints