Elizabeth "Lib" Snipes Garrett

Elizabeth Garrett, most often called Lib by her family and friends, died May 28, 2022 in Stillwater, MN at The Gables Care Center on the same retirement community campus where her only child, Margo, lives with her husband, Charles (Chuck) Kavalovski. After breaking a hip in early 2021, Lib moved to Stillwater to be near Margo during her convalescence. Several health events while there removed any chance for Lib to return to her beloved Raleigh where she was born on November 22, 1921. She had always wanted to live to be 100 and, indeed, she did celebrate her 100th Birthday in Minnesota.

The daughter of Pearl Ballard Snipes and Vaniel Bunyan Snipes, Lib’s siblings Faye Fuller, Myrtle Otwell, J. C. Snipes, all preceded her in death. Originally residing in Raleigh, the family moved to Franklinton in 1926 when her father started what became a successful textile business. Returning to Raleigh, Lib graduated from Needham Broughton High School in the class of 1938. At the urging of friends, she moved soon after to Roxboro where she met the love of her life, Laurie W. Garrett (August 21, 1920 – October 19, 1974.) They were married in 1941 when, during World War II, Laurie was in the U.S. Army. Immediately after the war, they moved to Raleigh, had their only child, Margo, and for 33 too short years until Laurie’s death just at the time he was promoted to Sales Manager of Pine State Creamery, they were a happy couple, good neighbors and devoted, early members of Emmanuel Baptist Church. For almost 30 years Lib enjoyed a managerial position with Field Enterprises, the makers of World Book Encyclopedia and Childcraft and believed strongly in their positive impact on childrens’ curiosity. Lib is probably most remembered at Emmanuel as the leader, for many years, of the nursery for three year-olds, but in fact she was a willing worker in any job. She could always be counted upon to teach the annual early summer week of Vacation Bible School, was for many years a devoted member of the Church Choir, a member and sometimes President of the Women’s Missionary Union, was a Deacon, and was instrumental in starting The New Beginnings class that has over the years become now the Three in One Class. Whatever her challenges, including a diagnosis of Macular Degeneration in 2001, she embraced them and met them head on. She never got over the loss of being as active at Emmanuel as she always had been, but physically and visually she was unable to be so. Lib was graceful in decline and loved the Zoom technology that allowed her to stay close to Emmanuel’s message and to her family. She remained grateful for the wonderful care she received in her home from her angels, as she called all her therapists and care givers in Raleigh as well as her nurses and aides at The Gables Care Center in Stillwater, MN. She said caregivers are sent to us from God himself.

In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, Lib is survived by 23 nieces and nephews and two generations of their children, all of whom she remained interested in until her death; by many devoted friends for whom she was always grateful and asked after always; and for her Emmanuel home in which she loved to labor. She kept thoughts of you close by hearing Margo reread the almost 200 birthday cards she received on her 100th and throughout this past year. They uplifted her for the rest of her life.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. (Matthew 25:21)

Lib’s services will be held on Monday, June 20 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2100 Noble Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27608. There will be a Visitation at 10 am, a Service at 11 am. A picnic lunch for all attending will be served outside (tents, tables, and chairs) at 12:15 before a 2 pm processional to Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603, for a short service and interment.

Memorials will be gratefully received by Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2100 Noble Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 and by Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs, Attn: Duke Eye Center, 300 West Morgan Street, Suite 1200, Durham, N.C. 27701.