Destiny Gardner, a devoted daughter, sister and accomplished alumna of Stillman College, passed away on May 20, 2025, after a tragic accident near Montgomery, Alabama. She was 27 years old. Born on July 12, 1997, in Tuscaloosa, Destiny’s warmth, intelligence and unwavering spirit endeared her to everyone she met. Her untimely death has left a profound void in the hearts of her family, friends and the wider community she served.
Raised in Tuscaloosa by her parents, Michael and Elaine Gardner, Destiny was known from an early age for her kindness and leadership. At Central High School, she garnered accolades not only for her academic excellence—graduating in the top five of her class—but also for her involvement in student government, the drama club and the volunteer tutoring program. Those early experiences foreshadowed the life of service and engagement she would lead at Stillman College.
Destiny matriculated at Stillman College in 2015, majoring in psychology with a minor in creative writing. As a member of the Honors Program, she pursued research into adolescent resilience and mental health, culminating in a celebrated senior thesis on community support systems. On campus she was active in the Alpha Delta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she spearheaded scholarship drives and mentored younger students, and she captained the Lady Tigers volleyball team during her junior year. She graduated in 2019 with honors, earning her bachelor’s degree amid cheers from classmates who lauded her advocacy for peer mental health initiatives.
Following graduation, Destiny moved back to Montgomery, where she accepted a position as a case manager with Alabama Youth Empowerment Services. In this role, she worked tirelessly to provide at-risk youth with guidance, academic support and access to counseling. Colleagues remember her as a beacon of empathy who would stay late to ensure a foster child had the school supplies or emotional support they needed. In recognition of her dedication, she received the “Heart of Service” award from the Montgomery County Commission in 2023.
Outside of her professional life, Destiny was an avid poet and amateur photographer. She frequently contributed to the Stillman College alumni magazine, capturing life on campus through both prose and lens. Her poem “Ribbon of Hope,” written in 2022, remains a touchstone for many students navigating challenges. Friends recall weekend photo walks through Tuscaloosa’s historic districts, during which Destiny had an uncanny ability to find beauty in overlooked corners.
Tragically, on the evening of May 19, Destiny was involved in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 85 near Montgomery. Despite the best efforts of first responders and medical teams, she succumbed to her injuries the following day at Baptist Medical Center South. The suddenness of her passing has galvanized the community she served to honor her memory through continued outreach and support programs.
She is survived by her parents, Michael and Elaine Gardner of Tuscaloosa; her older brother, Jason Gardner of Atlanta; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. A visitation will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa on May 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a funeral service on May 27 at 11 a.m., officiated by Rev. Kimberly Harris. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the “Destiny Gardner Memorial Scholarship Fund” at Stillman College, to support students pursuing studies in psychology and community service.
Destiny Gardner’s life was a testament to compassion, leadership and the power of community. Though she departed far too soon, her legacy endures in every young life she touched, every page she wrote and every photograph she captured. She will be deeply missed—but never forgotten
