James Garrett passed away April 4, 2019 at home surrounded by family. He was born in Miller Grove, Texas April 19, 1929, the third child and first boy to parents Ray and Oma Burns Garrett; Grandparents Jim and Lessie Burns and Tom and Corrie Garrett.
Many of you will be surprised to know he was very shy. When his Mother needed to borrow something from her neighbor, Mrs. Shipley, she always sent a note. He didn’t have to talk, just hand the note and wait for the item. These fine people grew to love him and he them, playing a huge part in his growing up. Ironically, in later years, they were Bettie’s neighbors across the street and were very happy when James married Bettie.
James was the caregiver. He helped his older sisters and assumed his share of chores as the younger siblings came along. He helped his Mother as she worked beside her husband in the daily grind of farm life.
James graduated from Miller Grove High School and enrolled in East Texas State Teachers College. There were several young men from Miller Grove rooming together and each had a nickname; (you guessed it) his was Chatter. These 5-6 men, some older, and all indirectly related as most people in Miller Grove were, had been to the service. They had many stories to tell and many more they could not tell. James is the last of the group to pass away. It was heartwarming to observe them as they would gather for happy occasions such as 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries and sad occasions such as a funeral.
The Korean War came along in the early 50’s, and James, along with several other local young men, was drafted. We have heard the story many times of how hard it was for him to leave his family and get on that plane. He made it through some tough times in the severe cold, training on Mount Fuji before going to Korea and the heavy fighting. He didn’t talk much of his time there, but what he shared let us know how blessed he was to have survived and make it back home. His one comment was “I tried to do my part, hoping and praying that my sons and grandsons would never have to pick up a weapon.”
Returning home, he and his brother Bill found their way to the big city of Emory. There were single girls in Emory, hamburger stands, basketball games, and the Emory Baptist Church. As you have heard from son Rick, James’ Dad decided he wanted to be a Baptist, so he joined the Emory Baptist Church and feeling the call to share God’s word he became a licensed Baptist preacher. He attended regularly from there on, Mrs. Garrett remaining at home to keep her other children in the local church. There were a couple of young ladies there, including Bettie Jane Varnon. She and James began to date and soon they introduced Bettie Jane’s best friend, Shirley Joyce Willis, to brother Bill. The girls were not sisters but did the next best thing and became sisters-in-law. James and Bettie married on November 10, 1954. Bill was called to serve his time in the Army, and he and Shirley married on September 1, 1956.
James and Bettie reared their 3 children: Janice Raylene, James Richard [Rick], and Jeana Renee’, in a Christian home, attending Church with their children. The testimonies of these children reflect the influence the Lord had upon their lives and continues in the lives of the grandchildren.
James and Bettie each have had wonderful careers and the privilege of working with many fine people. They have mentored many, many young people, entertained many, many people in their home, traveled many places and made friends everywhere they went.
As the family shed tears of sadness through these last few weeks of James’ life, they are thankful for the times of sharing with him, with the family and with friends. Saying goodbye is hard; saying “I’ll see you tomorrow” is glorious.
- Bettie Garrett
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