Sue Garrett

Madonna “Sue” Garrett passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 2nd, 2017, in Tyler joining her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She fought a brave battle with Alzheimer’s yet always maintained her sweet spirit and kind heart. She was 78 years old. Sue was born September 14, 1938 in Paragould, Arkansas, to Alvie and Thelma Jones. After graduating from Paragould High School in 1957, she enrolled in the Baptist Hospital School of Nursing at Memphis State University. She earned her R.N. degree in the fall of 1960, and worked at the VA hospital in Memphis for two years before transferring to the VA hospital in Houston, Texas. From there, she moved to the Texas Children’s Hospital’s cardiac catheterization laboratory where she evaluated the renowned cardiologist Dr. Denton Cooley’s pediatric patients. In 1964, Sue met a young medical school student named Jan Hansen Garrett at the lab. They were married in 1965. After Jan completed medical school, he served in the Navy as a General Medical Officer on the USS Bexar County APA-237 stationed in San Diego, California. Sue and 10-day-old Jennifer joined him there at the end of July 1967. After two years in the Navy, Sue and Jan moved to Oklahoma City where Jan began his orthopedic residency at the University of Oklahoma in 1969. After Jan completed his residency, the family arrived in Tyler in April of 1973 with second daughter Laura Lee in tow. Sue immediately became involved in the community, serving in the Smith County Medical Alliance, Women’s Symphony League, the Texas Rose Festival, the Kathyrn Speas Garden Club, The University of Texas at Tyler Ambassadors Organization, the Child Welfare Board and the American Cancer Society. She was the co-founder of Parents Anonymous along with the Smith County Medical Alliance. She was an active member and prayer warrior of Marvin United Methodist Church serving on its administrative board, spiritual committee and children’s ministry committee. She was a longtime member of the Pairs and Parents Sunday School class. Sue also supported her daughters’ schools, serving as President of the PTA at Rice Elementary, Vice President of the Hubbard Middle School PTA and a member of the Robert E. Lee High School PTA board. Sue was the epitome of love. She learned that from her sweet mother, Thelma. She adored her younger sisters and treasured her time with them. Sue fiercely and loyally loved all her family and friends, and later her precious grandchildren. She was kind, warm, gracious, fun, welcoming and hospitable. She was a true Southern lady. She was a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at the age of 38. She had a strong faith and quoted Philippians 4:13 (“I can do everything through him who gives me strength”) to her girls as she dropped them off at school each day. She enjoyed helping and supporting her daughters in all their many activities including bluebirds, tennis, swimming, dance, voice, piano and acting lessons. She loved the summers her daughters spent at Camp Waldemar and their many dear friends and families they met along the way. She wrote her daughters’ letters every day while they were away at camp. Sue had a wonderful group of friends, especially her birthday club and her beloved Mahjongg group, the “Mah Yah Sisters.” They enjoyed traveling together, playing tennis, bible studies, shopping and antiquing. She was extremely detailed-oriented and organized. She was always a wonderful hostess and enjoyed entertaining friends and family in her home. She was truly a beautiful person both inside and out. For Sue, her family always came first. She was devoted to her loving husband and theirs is a true love story. They traveled the world together and built a happy and secure home for their family. She was a true blessing to her daughters who admired and adored her. Her son-in-law, Patrick, became like a son to her. She was thrilled when Laura married Matt and she so enjoyed their wonderful wedding. Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye. Patrick, Jr. was her “gentle giant” and Annabelle was her precious look-alike. Both grandchildren loved spending time with their Mimi and Pa. Sue always said it was better to laugh than to cry and to just love, love, love. That is what she did, and the world has been a much better place since. Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Alvie Jones. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 52 years, Dr. Jan Hansen Garrett; her two devoted daughters, Jennifer Lacey Garrett Deen (Patrick) of Tyler and Laura Lee Garrett Jones (Matt) of Austin; two truly beloved grandchildren, Patrick Jr. and Annabelle Deen; her sweet sisters, Pat McDaniel (Gary), Linda Farley (John), and Connie Boyd, all of Paragould, Arkansas; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Sue had the privilege of being cared for by two remarkable ladies, Darlene Odom and Judy Sandifer. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Culver, John Walker, Jim Clark, Tom Lowery, Fred Gilhausen, Jim Muse, Jim Knowles, Cotton Turner, Guy Danielson, Clark Hampe, Andy Wall, Bill Miller, Marvin Stephens, Joe Bill Belue, Mark Greenberg, Jim Holton and Joe Mc Mann. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Services for Sue Garrett will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 11:00 AM at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. Doug Baker officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. If desired and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marvin United Methodist Church Eternal Flame Fund, 300 W. Erwin, Tyler, TX., the Smith County Child Welfare Board, P O Box 132494, Tyler, TX 75713, Parents Anonymous, 4742 S. Broadway Ave. Tyler, TX 75703 or the charity of your choice.

Sue Garrett

September 14, 1938 - April 2, 2017