Robert "Curly" Garner Sr.

Born in Robbins, N.C., March 8, 1928, he was the son of the late Lockey Merit Garner and Emma Mae Wallace Beane and the brother of the late Worthy Garner of Carthage, N.C. “Curly” proudly served his country in the U.S. Army where he was placed in special services to entertain troops on battleships. He was a professional country music musician until the age of 37, playing with groups for the Louvin Brothers, George Jones of “The Jones Boys” and Hank Williams, Sr., among others. He played weekly live and recorded country music television shows for WLVA of Lynchburg and WSLS of Roanoke. He left that life to become something that he was more proud of and that was the love of God, and his Beloved Wife and family. He retired from Burruss Land and Lumber Company after 44 years of service and was a faithful member of Eastbrook Baptist Church for the past 46 years, where he also was a guitarist and singer, most times, singing and performing with his wife and children. Others will also remember him by his “Curly Q” corn from his labored love of gardening and as one of Dixie Youth and Rustburg’s Number One Fan! He will leave a void in many of our hearts but will also and more importantly, be in our memories and those are a gift from God that death cannot destroy. He is with Jesus now in that fair Homeland, where there will be no parting, Beyond the Sunset forever.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Betty Sue G. Worsham and husband Scott of Lugoff, S,C., Robert E. Garner, Jr. and wife Sharon K. of Madison Heights, Roger “Porky” D. Garner and wife Linda of Concord, and Debbie G. Schmitt and husband Kevin of Evington, Angela G. Forslund and husband Mike of Lynchburg and 13 grandchildren; Curtis Worsham, Cary Shields and Donna Worley, Jeff and Melissa Garner, David Garner, Crystal G. Cox, Chris, Katie J. and Jamie Floyd, Blake, Brandon and Brooke Forslund, and nine great grandchildren; Jared, Amber and Trey Worley, Meredith and Natalie Garner, Avery and Annsley Cox, Kali Floyd and Megan Johns and two half-sisters; Shirley G. Dutton of Robbins, N.C. and Swanney G. Frey of Aberdeen, N.C.

A service celebrating his life will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Eastbrook Baptist Church with the Rev. Curtis Walkup and the Rev. Larry Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2015 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Eastbrook Baptist Church, 3050 Eastbrook Road, Lynchburg, Virginia 24501.