Gardner Kole during the wedding ceremony.
Gardner Morrow Schneider Kole was born on the 22nd of February, 1930, in Birmingham, Alabama.
She was a much loved philanthropist and supporter of the performing arts in the areas of New Orleans and Slidell.
Having coming from a well respected family who were involved in business and politics in Alabama, she completed her education at Bennett College in New York and later attended Newcomb College in New Orleans. After meeting her first husband Pete Schneider Jr., the couple moved to Slidell in 1951, where he took over the management of the family business, St. Joe Brick Works Incorporated. Meanwhile Gardner began her long career supporting and enriching her local community in any manner she could. She became an instrumental figure in her society and ultimately became director of the Slidell Civic Club, amongst others. Gardner also had a passion for theatre and the arts, opening her own dance studio in order to teach and inspire many of the younger generations in the community. She was an ambassador to the Slidell Little Theatre and the Slidell Performing Arts Guild, often putting on shows and productions which attracted notable performers from all over. Following her husband’s passing in 1977, she continued to run his family business, as well as continuing her philanthropic work in the area.
In 1984, she married renowned jazz pianist Ronnie Kole, who further inspired her to continue her dedication to the arts world. The couple became one of the most respected in the region and were at the forefront of charitable events, ultimately founding the event ‘Jazz on the Bayou‘, which they hosted at their home in Bayou Liberty. The annual event raised over $1.5 million for a number of organisations including STARC, which is a non-profit organisation which helps intellectually and physically challenged residents of the St. Tammany parish.
Excluding her extraordinary devotion to her local community, a further highlight came in 1972 when she assisted with the production of the James Bond film “Live & Let Die”. As well as helping recruit locals to perform as extras, she remained on location at the Treadway Estate in Slidell, helping first and second units the crew during the weeks of filming for the boat chase sequence. She even had a minor cameo appearance in the movie, appearing in the wedding sequence.
In the area of Slidell, Louisiana, the Kole family name will always be synonymous for it’s generosity and support for people in need.
Gardner Kole passed away on the 22nd of January, 2020, aged 89.
In "Live & Let Die", Gardner Kole was cast as an extra during the boat chase sequence.
She portrayed the bride's mother during the wedding scene. She can be seen wearing a white and yellow dress, and is sat in the front row on the right side.
The photo displayed below has been signed by Gardner Kole, Flo Treadway, William Treadway III and Doree Schneider Donovan. This amazing photo was also signed in April of 2008.
This is the only known James Bond photo Gardner ever signed.
In real life, Gardner was the mother of the bride, Doree Schneider Donovan.
She served for numerous societies including the Camillia Club, Girl Scout Leader, Jaycee Jane's, the Slidell Bantam Baseball Association and was the President of the State Board of East Seals of Louisiana.
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