Mrs. Cleo Garrett

Mary Cleo Garrett, age 92, of Houston, TX passed on to her heavenly reward, peacefully at home on April 20, 2024. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a giver. A dedicated mother and grandmother, and a woman of great faith, she was determined to leave all those around her better than she found them. Cleo, as she was known, was born on June 26, 1931 in Hector, Arkansas, to William and Minnie Kendrick, one of seven children.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, E. Edward Garrett, her son, Dennis Garrett (Melanie), infant son, Ronald Garrett, and daughter-in-law, Gaynell Garrett (Gene); brothers, R. H. Kendrick (Ruth), Robert Kendrick (Martha), and Bennie Kendrick (Betty), and sister, Wilda “Lorene” Bowman Sadler (Edward Sadler).

She is survived by her children, Gene Garrett (Gaynell), Karen Fourgo (Laurent), Brenda Garrett (Donnie Bonivich), and youngest son, Gerald Garrett, who was her constant companion and caregiver for more than 20 years, and with her when she passed. Surviving grandchildren are Dedra Bingley (Wade), Kelly Garrett (April), Summer Haines (Greg), Rachel Garrett, and Paul Garrett; great grandchildren, Brandon Garrett (Destiny), Sara Phillips (Taylor), Brandon Haines and Charlee Haines, great-great grandchildren, Alayna Garrett and Tucker Barrick; and Cleo’s sisters, Edna Westfall (Danny) and Grace McKnight (Carl).

When she was in the 8th grade, her family moved from Arkansas to Stillwater, Oklahoma to work as sharecroppers, and her daddy built the family home. Within this loving family, she learned to sew, crochet, pick cotton, grow and can fruit and vegetables, and cook, all from her mother – skills she truly mastered, and many she used throughout her life. If you ever had a meal at Cleo’s table, it was one you would remember. Desserts were her specialty.

After marrying, she and Edward moved to Texas, and settled in Houston where they would live and raise their children. Cleo would take a number of part-time and full time jobs to help support the family and spent 12 years working at Grace Baptist Church where they were members, serving in the Day School in infant through kindergarten classrooms, and as the well-appreciated cook! She later continued her service at Berean Baptist Church's Day School and Sweetwater Christian School, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of countless children. She worked part-time for the Leader newspaper for 18 years, even into her 80s.

Cleo Garrett dedicated herself fully to all she did. As her work history reflects, she was committed to helping children. She was most proud of her own children and grandchildren, who will each tell you that they had the best mother and grandmother God ever created. Cleo was a living example of Christ’s unconditional love – forgiving, kind, helpful, patient, and always encouraging. Her light will live on in all those she loved and who loved her, and now she is celebrating eternal joy reunited with loved ones gone before.

A visitation for Mary will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A funeral service will occur Monday, May 6, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A committal service will occur Monday, May 6, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Brookside Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory and Cemetery, 13401 Eastex Fwy, Houston, TX 77039.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring her with a gift to her church, Airline Manor Baptist Church, 610 E Parker Rd, Houston, TX 77076.