Mary Agnes Stegall Garrison

October 31, 2013

Mary Agnes Stegall Garrison, 87, was born Oct. 25, 1926 and passed from this life on Oct. 31, 2013.  Born to John Hasten and Pearl Wilson Stegall, she was the youngest of four children: Jearldeen, Ralph and Curtis.  Her mother passed away when she was two, but the children were blessed with a second mother when their father married Tera Mae Newell a few years later.  Two more sisters were added to the family when Betty Sue and Faye Marie were born.

As a child of the Depression, she learned lessons that influenced her entire life.  Family was all-important and her father took care of their large extended family including grandmothers.  Hard work was valued.  She learned skills at the side of her mother, “Mama” Stegall, and her grandmothers that would become passions in her life—cooking, preserving food and needlework. Her green thumb and her love of gardening came from working with her father.  If you were loved by Agnes, then you have received a gift from her hands whether it was a crocheted afghan, a jar of her famous pickles, a piece of her embroidery or an invitation to share a meal at her table.

She married her love, Elbert B. Garrison, on Nov. 14, 1942.  They were married for 69 years and raised two children, Dorothy and Donald.  During their life together they worked side by side in their many businesses including farming, construction and raising cattle.  Her husband called her his darling helpmate.  She could wield a paintbrush, help haul hay and finish the day by making a big meal.  She had boundless energy and still loved walking every day.

Agnes and Elbert loved to travel and made road trips throughout the United States and traveled to Europe to visit daughter Dorothy and son-in-law Jay when they were living there. Nephews and nieces were often invited on trips to the beach. They enjoyed camping and water sports and delighted in taking their Sunday school classes on these outings.

Agnes was a member of the Blue Springs Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir.  Singing had been a part of her life since she was a child. Hers was a well-lived life full of love of God and family, a joy in life and laughter, with forgiveness and compassion to all.

She is survived by daughter, Dorothy Donahue and son-in-law, Jay; son, Donald and wife, Frieda; granddaughter Amy; sisters-in-law, Nell Garrison and Verna Stegall; nephews and nieces that have become loved as her own children; and children of friends and family who have become her adopted grandchildren and have shared her life and been loved by her.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at Pinkard Funeral Home Chapel, Russellville, with burial in Blue Springs Cemetery.  Officiating was Bro. John McCullar.  Pallbearers were nephews, David Tidwell, Frankie Tidwell, Robby Garrison, Rocky Ball, Dillard Taylor and great-nephew, Robbie Tidwell.

Her daughter and son-in-law give thanks to the friends and family who have supported Mother through the years of taking care of an ailing husband and to the doctors, nurses and technicians of Huntsville Hospital, Athens Limestone Hospital and the Limestone Health and Rehabilitation Facility who treated her with tenderness and compassion during the last three months.