Mrs. Betty Jean Thomas Garner, age 92, of Sandersville, died Sunday, June 16, 2019 in an Augusta Hospital. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 20th at 1:00 p.m.at First Baptist Church of Sandersville with burial in Brownwood Cemetery. Reverend Lee Lacey and Reverend Sam Waldron will officiate. Mrs. Garner’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
Mrs. Garner was born in Miami, Florida as the eldest of five children. She was the daughter of the late John R. Thomas and the late Effie Mae Rainey Thomas. Shortly after her birth, her family relocated to Macon, Georgia where they raised their family. Mrs. Garner was an extremely hard worker, serving as secretary for both the Holmes Canning Company and First Baptist Church before retiring at 91 years young. One of her greatest joys was her active involvement with the First Baptist Church, taking part in fellowship committees such as the Joy Club. She and her late husband were heavily involved in the development of their community and truly loved the close-knit atmosphere of Sandersville, In her spare time, she was passionate about growing roses, reading, and making the best pound cake in the state of Georgia. She was predeceased by her husband, Emory Bell Garner Jr. and her son, Thomas Emory Garner.
Survivors include her daughters, Sally Garner of Sandersville and Susan Garner Dallas and her husband Bobby of Troutville, VA.; daughter-in-law, Tammy Pelham Garner of Augusta; grandchildren, Erin Dallas, Caitlin Dallas, Jesse Watts and his fiancé Brian Hunter, Seth Garner Watts and his wife Jessica, Chelsea Brannon and Allison Garner; and sister, Norma Trowbridge of Warner Robins.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville and the family will be at the Garner residence on Hwy. 88, Sandersville.
Donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Sandersville, 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, GA. 31082.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.