Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Garrard

Born August 13, 1935 in Demopolis, Alabama to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Vernon Allen, Liz was known for a kind and generous spirit that could always bring out the best in those around her.

After graduating from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, Liz would go on to graduate school at Vanderbilt University where she studied and eventually taught Biology. Liz continued to teach sciences at almost every level until deciding to focus on raising her three beloved children Lynn, Louis,and John.

After spending several years in Orlando, Florida, Liz and her family relocated to Jackson, Tennessee in 1981 where she would remain for the rest of her life. Jackson may not have been her birthplace, but it easily became her home–a community she loved and that loved her in return. Liz kept herself busy through volunteer shifts with the Jackson Symphony and Public Library, multiple book and bible study groups, and of course innumerous involvements with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. While Liz gave the appearance of someone with a quiet nature, it was a rare occurrence for her to be in public and not see someone she knew thanks to one of her greatest gifts: being a genuine friend to any and all.

Liz was a wonderful mother, but thrived as a grandmother to her six loving grandchildren. Her world revolved around spending time with and caring for her grandkids any chance she could. From weekly carpool to dance classes and after school activities around town to hosting “Camp Mae Mae” over the summer for her out of town grandchildren, Liz could not have been more kind, generous, loving, or supportive of her family.

Liz is survived by her children Lynn Garrard Moore (Charles) of Savannah, GA, Clifford Louis Garrard III (Karlen) of Nashville, TN, and John Vernon Garrard of Jackson, TN; her adoring grandchildren Clifford Louis Garrard IV (Taylor) of Nashville, TN, Paul Chapman Garrard of Nashville, TN, Anne Elizabeth Garrard of Jackson, TN, Mary Garrard Whitehead (Neville) of Jackson, MS, Frances Cornelia Garrard of New York, NY, and Eleanor Hazlehurst Garrard of Jackson, TN; and her sister Altrice Allen Norton (Daniel) of Hohenwald, TN.

Liz is preceded in death by her parents and her daughter-in-law Anne Hazlehurst Garrard.

Known for her immense selflessness, Liz’s final act of service was to make an anatomical donation to Vanderbilt University Medical School to aid in the education of young medical professionals as well as in furthering the research in Rheumatoid Arthritis, a fierce disease with which she fought for the majority of her life.

A celebration of life service for Mary Elizabeth Allen Garrard will be held Monday, January 6th at 11 am at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in downtown Jackson,TN. A reception will be held following the service in the St. Luke’s Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed in Liz's memory to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 309 East Baltimore St., Jackson, TN 38301