Margaret Gail (Campbell) Garner

Margaret Gail (Campbell) Garner passed away peacefully on November 5, 2023. Up until the end, Gail maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of beauty, and love of family and friends. She expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences.

Gail grew up in Farragut with her loving family, originating from Wheat, Tennessee. She graduated from Farragut High School in 1965. Gail earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary education from the University of Tennessee in 1969. She taught elementary school for 42 years, starting out at Park Lowery and Flennigan city schools. Gail spent the last 25 years of her career teaching at Blue Grass Elementary School, teaching 1st grade before retiring. She had a passion and love for teaching children to read and loved and cherished all her students. She especially loved teaching all of her grandchildren to read and write before they attended kindergarten. Gail attended and was a member of Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church since she was a little girl. Both she and her loving husband, Dave Garner, were loyal servants of the Union Church for more than 58 years. Gail served as an elder of the church, taught Sunday School for the younger ages for many years, and helped cook and serve meals for the church family and outreach program.

Gail married Dave Garner in 1967 after meeting him on a blind date set up by her best friend and sister-in-law, Deloris Tolson. Gail and Dave have been married for more than 56 years and spent a lifetime of unconditional love and joy, raising two daughters and a total of 7 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Gail loved to garden, plant flowers, read books, and cook for her family. She made it a point to be as engaged as possible with her grandchildren. From babysitting, teaching them to read and write, and helping with their homework, to watching them play sports or music, from attending birthday parties and school performances, and going on vacations, Gail delighted in her grandchildren as much, if not more, than she delighted in raising her two daughters.

Gail is survived by her husband, Dave Garner; daughters, Jennifer Garner Patterson and son-in-law, Eric Patterson and Kim Garner House and son-in-law, Jerry House; granddaughters, Victoria and Campbell Patterson; grandsons, Zachary, Cameron, Garrett, Elijah and Jackson House; great-granddaughter, Riley Kate House; sisters-in-law, Deloris Tolson and Sue Campbell and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gail is preceded in death by her daughter, Amy Elizabeth Garner; parents, William Paul and Bonnie Campbell; brother, Donald Wayne Campbell and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Gail would express how grateful she was to have lived a long life full of beautiful experiences, a loving family, and many good friends. She truly embodied the adage of a life well lived.

We want to give a special appreciation to all of the nurses and caregivers at The Lantern in Lenoir City. They are a special group filled with love and compassion for their patients, and we are truly thankful for getting to know them all during Gail's stay

A visitation for Gail will be held Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 400 Everett Rd, Knoxville, TN 37934 with a funeral service to follow. A graveside service will occur Friday, November 10, 2023 at 11:00am at Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 12434 Union Rd, Knoxville, TN 37934.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com for the Garner family.