Mrs. James L. Garner, 86, of 34 Rome Road, Cave Spring, passed away peacefully at her home Saturday, July 22, 2017

Mary Edd (Mom) Garner was born January 10, 1931, in Haywood Valley and was the daughter of the late Samuel Jefferson Anderson and the late Ola Angeline Murdoch-Anderson. She grew up on Haywood Valley Road, and worked with her parents and siblings of the family farm.

Mary Edd graduated from Subligna High School. She met Jim Garner on a blind date, and the rest is history. They were married on June 3, 1956, and have three children: Mary Jo (Jo), Susan Angela (Sue), and James L. (Jim) Garner, Jr. They moved to Cave Spring, Georgia December 13, 1968 and she made a beautiful warm home loved by her family and all who passed through.

Mary Edd was a gentle, loving soul. Her love as a younger woman was antiquing and building her home, which she did with great care. Her house was always filled with young'uns. Mom made sure her home was a haven, a safe place and a place of refuge when all other places failed. There was no other place to seek solace quiet like Mom's soft shoulder and rock solid faith.

Mom attended church all her life. She loved singing Gospel whether at church, with her family, or with friends. She surrounded her family with Christian values and a deep faith.

Mary Edd was preceded in death by her husband, James L. (Jim) Garner, Sr. on January 29, 2011, and by her brother, Herman (Andy) Anderson, and by her sister, Mrs. Doris Brown.

She was adored by family and friends alike, and is survived by her three children and their families. Mary Jo Nickelson and husband Marc Nickelson, Susan Garner and her husband Rick Brown, and by her son, James L. Garner, Jr. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sarah Jo Huckaby, Jazmen Grace McMurrey and her husband  Allen McMurrey, McKenzie Rae Nickelson, and Michael Wayne Atha. Her great-grandchildren are Khaleesi Grace McMurrey, Zachery Atreya McMurrey, Tariq Blackfeather Atha, Phoenix Blackfeather Atha and N'Deyah Blackfeather Atha.

Funeral services for Mrs. Garner were held Friday morning, July 28, 2017, at John House's Cave Spring Chapel with Rev. Rodney Brown officiating. Interment followed in the Cave Spring Cemetery.  Pallbearers included Rob Ware, Eddy Brown, Tracey Harman, Brett Fisher, Jeff Smith, Bill Farmer, and Jeff Anderson.

The family received friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 7:00 until 9:00 P.M.  

Flowers will be accepted. Those wishing may send donations to Georgia School for the Deaf (put Athletic Associations on Memo line) and mail to 22 Perry Farm Road, Cave Spring, Georgia, 30124.

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