Betty "Jeannie" Garrett, age 73, passed away peacefully at Lower Cape Fear Mercy Hospice House in Bolivia, NC on January 18th, 2017.
Jeannie was born on June 21, 1943 in Newport News, VA, the daughter of the late Gene and Thelma Proffitt. In addition to her parents, Jeannie was preceded in death by her sister Pamela Queen. She is survived by the love of her life Frank "Bill" Garrett, her husband of 47 years. Also surviving is her daughter Robin, grandchildren Amy, Sophie and Eli all of St. Henry, OH, Meghan of Pittsburgh, PA, great granddaughter Chloe, the sunshine in Jeannie's life for the past 11 months, and sister Susan Collier of Decatur, GA.
Jeannie was a proud Military wife for the 20 years of Bill's service in the U.S. Air Force, during which they lived in Florida, California, Okinawa, Italy and Spain. Jeannie made a loving home for her family no matter where they were in the world, and enthusiastically embraced the culture and history of the countries in which they lived. Upon her husband's retirement from the Air Force in 1989, Jeannie moved to High Point, NC, where she had graduated from High School in 1963. While back in High Point, Jeannie became involved with the North Carolina Special Olympics via the Guilford County Workshop where she assisted with developmentally disabled adults. The Special Olympians were her heart, and she created and maintained life-long friendships with many athletes and fellow coaches. In 2006 Bill and Jeannie settled in Longs, SC, where thanks to her generous heart and sweet smile, Jeannie quickly formed a circle of lady friends through the Red Hat organization, and later added more dear friends after joining Grace Christian Fellowship in Little River. These friends and church family have been invaluable in the past couple years as Jeannie faced many health challenges. Her faith was paramount and as was her belief, she is surely in Heaven, relieved of all the physical challenges she suffered more recently in her life.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday January 23rd at Grace Christian Fellowship, 1223 Highway 57 North in Little River, SC, with visitation following in the Life Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to North Carolina Special Olympics, 2200 North Gateway Centre Blvd., Morrisville, NC 27560 or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.
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