Betty Garrett

CARROLLTON, Ga. -- Betty Garrett died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018.

She was born Oct. 2, 1941, in Randolph County, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Inice Herren Green; a brother, Junior Green; and a grandson, Will Garrett.

She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Garrett, to whom she was married in 1960 at the Bowdon (Georgia) Baptist Church. She is survived by sons, Bob (Joy) Garrett of Cape Girardeau and Bill (Jennifer) Garrett and Joe (Ali) Garrett of Carrollton. Grandchildren surviving include Ellen, Anna, Jill, Abby, Turner, Charlie and Henry Garrett. She is also survived by brothers, Bobby (Beverly) and Walter Green; sister, Edith Yates; sisters-in-law, Joyce Green and Dotti Green; caretaker, Teresa Key; and several nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Bowdon High School and attended West Georgia College. She was a devoted mother, substitute teacher and homemaker. Her home was a welcome place to all, especially to all of her children's friends in the Chapel Heights neighborhood. She often referred to many of them as her "fourth son."

As a longtime active member of Carrollton First United Methodist Church, Betty was instrumental in forming the Young Adult (now Agape) Sunday school class and the church's Katie Downs Fellowship. Her greatest love was in service to the church's youth. She and her husband served as Methodist Youth Fellowship counselors, and for 10 years she served as cook for the Youth Choir on its annual pilgrimage to Noah's Ark in Panama City Beach, Florida.

One of her favorite pastimes was bicycling with her husband throughout the Carroll County roads making friends with many encountered along the way. They did this until Alzheimer's prevented her from doing so.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Almon Funeral Home in Carrollton.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Carrollton First United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Gil McGinnis, Larry Patton and Ken Stephens officiating and Mark Barnes and Donnie Muse leading the music. Interment will be at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery in the Burwell, Georgia, community.

Serving as pallbearers will be Johnny Tanner, Bryan Albright, Brad Brady, Joe Murrah, Charlie Murrah, Sam Haney, Alan Alford and Matt Carter. The Agape Sunday School class and the Katie Downs Guild will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Carrollton First United Methodist Church, 206 Newnan St., Carrollton, GA 30117 or the Community Foundation of West Georgia Will Garrett Memorial Scholarship Fund, 807 S. Park St., Carrollton, GA 30117.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at almonfuneralhome.com.