Mrs. Ocelia Garrett

On March 21, 1935, Mrs. Ocelia Swain Garrett was born in Childersburg, Alabama to the late Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Henry and Lorene Holley Swain. She was the seventh of thirteen children. Sister Ocelia Garrett confessed her Faith in Christ at an early age and joined Kingston Missionary Baptist Church in Alpine, Alabama where she was an active choir member and in Praise and Worship. Mother Garrett served her church and community faithfully until her health began to fail. She received her formal education in the Talladega County School System where she attended Phyllis Wheatly High School in Childersburg, Alabama. Mother Garrett served her church and community faithfully until her health began to fail. Although Mother Garrett worked outside her home for a few years, she remained a domestic engineer for her family and friends throughout the years. She was well known for her sewing, which was a passion she has always enjoyed. Along Mrs. Garrett's blessed 88-year journey, she became the wife of Corporal W. D. Garrett with whom she shared the blessing of six loving children, Jerome, Charles, Michael, Kirk, Carol, and Jackie. Mother Garrett loved her family unconditionally and enjoyed every minute she shared with them. She loved cooking and singing, but no other hobby was more important than her maintaining and keeping a fresh garden. When it came to talking about her childhood and young adult life, Mother Garrett told incredible stories and often spoke of Annie Morris, Minnie Duncan, Margaret Duncan, and Celestine Garrett, when reminding us of our family's close bond. Granny felt as if you all were her very own children. The family wants to pay homage to you now, because she felt that the experiences, she shared with you molded her into the matriarch she became and on behalf of Mother Garrett, we are forever grateful. On the cool spring morning of Thursday, May 18, 2023, Mrs. Ocelia Swain Garrett went to be with the Lord while sleeping peacefully in the comfort of her home. Preceding her in death were her husband, Corporal W. D. Garrett, sons, Jerome "Keyman" Garrett and Charles Garrett, six sisters, Flossie Coleman, Elizabeth Cook, Juliette Emory, Jeanette Swain, Katherine Austin, Phamiline Scott, four brothers, Edward Swain, Washington Lee Swain, Jeff Henry Swain, Jerry Swain, daughter-in-law, Audrey Garrett, and two sons-in-law, Charles Lewis and Gilbert Turner. Mother Garrett leaves a legacy of love and memories to forever be cherished by her two sons, Michael Garrett of Alpine, Alabama and Kirk Garrett of Talladega, Alabama; two daughters, Carol Garrett Lewis and Jackie Garrett Turner of Childersburg, Alabama; two brothers, Charles Swain and Roger Woods of Sacramento; one sister, Betty Washington of Apple Valley, California; grandchildren, Tina Henry, Charles Garrett, Nekelia Turner, Kedrick Charles (Kendra) Lewis, DeShaun Garrett, Sharie (Seneca) Shealey, Sheena Lewis, Tawanekia Wells, Tara Turner, Shaquille Turner, Adaria Swain, and Danielle Garrett; great-grandchildren, Tyesha Henry, Alexis Moten, Demondre Robinson, Devundrez Noble, Seneca "Scoot" Shealey, Michael Battle, Crea Turner, and Kaliyah Lewis; great-great grandchildren, Khristian Henry and Jordyan Lawson; one brother-in-law, Rev. Charles Garrett of Rockford, Alabama; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that she cherished deeply.

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Mrs. Ocelia Garrett

March 21, 1935 - May 18, 2023