Laura Jean Garrett

Laura Green Garrett stepped peacefully and joyously into heaven on April 20, 2015 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. Laura was born on August 22, 1924 in Foster Township, Illinois to Bill Green and Grace (Feather) Green. Laura grew up in the farm country near Kinmundy and graduated from Kinmundy High School in 1942. After high school, she attended Brown’s Business College in Centralia, Illinois where she expanded her math skills to become an excellent bookkeeper. She went to work at the Borah Ford Dealership in Olney, Illinois until she met the love of her life, Emmett Garrett upon his return from WWII. They married on New Year’s Eve, 1949 at the Christian Church in Kinmundy, Illinois and began their home in Kansas where they started their family with the birth of daughter, Carla Jean in 1951. From Kansas, they moved to Midland and then Oklahoma where they had a 2nd daughter, Denise Ann in 1957. In 1959, the family finally put down roots to raise their daughters in Odessa, Texas and never moved again. After the girls graduated, Laura enjoyed working at Berryhill’s Childrens Shop for many years as their bookkeeper. After Emmett retired, they loved to travel and frequently went with various friends and groups on many memorable trips. They enjoyed many travels with the West Texas Airstream unit for over 15 years and naturally, Laura became treasurer of their Airstream club. They especially loved traveling with Laura's brother and sister-in-law Lyle and Fran Green from Washington State.

Laura's first love was her family. Emmett and Laura were happily married for 63 years and raised their family in Odessa in a stable, loving home that encouraged personal growth and applauded accomplishment. She loved being a homemaker and always welcomed her daughters’ friends into their home. Laura and Emmett set a standard in their home for their daughters of always doing your personal best, both at school and at work. Having been a child of the depression, Laura would not waste a thing and made sure that her family used every dollar efficiently. Values of ethical behavior, integrity and honesty were held as the standard in their home. Laura was the consummate Grandma as grandchildren began arriving and enjoyed watching them all thrive on fun times shared during family reunions and trips to the Arkansas vacation home and Illinois where she loved to return to the family's farm country and visit relatives. Her family rejoiced in gathering in Odessa in August, 2015 to celebrate her 90th birthday. Laura has been described by friends as loving, selfless, cheerleader, encourager, party-planner, always attentive to the needs of others and a Christian role-model. Laura always displayed a youthful joy for life and loved sewing original designs for her girls. Laura was a member of Bethany Christian Church in Odessa, the Odessa Country Club, Kinmundy Eastern Star member for over 50 years and former member of many bridge clubs. She was an active booster in any endeavor or organization her daughters were involved with. If there were parent sponsors needed for school trips or fund-raising drives, Emmett and Laura were at the forefront. Laura was treasurer of the Band Booster Club for several years. The tables of her home and her daughter's home would be adorned with rose bouquets that were grown in Emmett’s garden. She loved fresh flowers and delighted in watching them bloom.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Lyle Green of Seattle, Washington, and Carl Green of Kinmundy, IL. Laura is survived by daughters Carla and son-in-law Dan Pack of Southlake, Texas; Denise and son-in-law Richard Kelly of Odessa; brother and sister-in-law Burl and Virginia Green of Tuscola, Illinois; sister Louise Cheatum of Kinmundy, Illinois; sister-in-law Donna Beard of Alma, Illinois; granddaughters Angela Pack Ortiz and husband Noel of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Kristie Pack Graham and husband Jason of Mt Pleasant, Texas; Michelle Pack Brower and husband Tim of Denver, Colorado; grandsons Garrett and Clayton Kelly of Odessa; great-grandchildren Nathan, Daniel, Luke, Julia and Emma Ortiz; Jordan, Konner and Victoria Graham; and Gabriella Brower. She leaves behind many dear nieces, nephews and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church-Odessa at 1 pm on Friday, April 24. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at a visitation to be held at Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home on Thursday, April 23 from 6-8 pm. After traveling back to the farmland she loved in Illinois, a funeral will follow on April 27 at 11am at Neal Funeral Home, Kinmundy, Illinois with burial to follow at Sandy Branch Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Sandy Branch Cemetery, 4586 Kinoka Rd, Alma, IL 62807 or to the charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the many friends Laura was blessed to know along life’s roads. She loved you all and we thank you for loving our cherished Mom.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home