Mary Ethel Garrett

She was born to James Oscar Dockrey and Sadie Agnes Miller Dockrey on August 30, 1925 in

Colorado City, Texas. Mary graduated with honors from Colorado City High School and Draghon’s Business College in Abilene, Texas. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, Austin in 1948, and her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas, Austin in 1953. Mary began her long career in education with Clear Creek Consolidated ISD in 1948 where she taught school until 1955. After a brief hiatus to begin her family, she returned to teaching in 1962 with Deer Park ISD where she taught first grade until her retirement in 1988.

Mary met her husband Herman D. Garrett while attending the University of Texas. They married on June 21, 1952 and went on to have three children, Herman David, Jonathan Mark, and Stephen Paul.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Mary loved to serve others. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. She and her husband became loyal members of Golden Acres Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas in 1953 and were always active in the church’s ministry. Mary was a member of the choir for many years, and taught Sunday School in the Children’s and Adult’s departments. She also worked on multiple church committees, serving as Chairman of the Missions Committee and performing various mission works. After her retirement from teaching, she spent her time volunteering at Armand Bayou Nature Center, the Baptist Student Union at San Jacinto College, and mentoring young children at Golden Acres Elementary school.

Mary joins her parents James Oscar and Sadie Agnes Dockrey, sisters Lucille Dee and Louise Giannone, her brothers James Oscar Dockrey, Jr. and Charles Ralph Dockrey, and her husband Herman D. Garrett in eternity.

She is survived by her son Herman David Garrett and daughter-in-law Sharon of Richardson, TX; their son Paul Garrett, his wife Hannah and their children Lucas, Mercy, and Josiah of Pine, CO; their son Evan Garrett, his wife Nicole and their daughter Olive lately of Spokane, WA; her son Jonathan Mark Garrett and daughter-in-law Lisa of Pasadena, TX; their daughter Kimberly Huddleston, her husband Justin and their children Kennedy and Lincoln of Leander, TX; their son Cody Garrett, his wife Melissa and their children Holden and Gideon of Greenville, TX; her son Stephen Paul Garrett and daughter-in-law Dottie of Mesquite, TX; their daughter Rachel Bland, her husband Josh and their son James of Rogers, AR; and their son Nathan Garrett, his wife Susan and their children Liam and Selah of Rowlett, TX.

As a steadfast servant to God, Mary had a contagious zest for life and was forever seeking God’s wisdom to direct her every action. She sought and found the Lord’s blessings in the smallest of things. “I want to live to be 103, just like Jiminy Cricket!” was her mantra. She always carried a song in her heart and one could often hear her singing and clapping her hands to one of her favorite hymns, I’LL FLY AWAY. Indeed, she has flown away on angel’s wings.

"Some glad morning when this life is over

I'll fly away

To a home on God's celestial shore

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then

I'll fly away

To a land where joy shall never end

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Yeah, when I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away"

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE IN MEMORY OF MARY E. GARRETT