Obituary for Mary Jim Garrett

Mrs. Mary Jim Benton Garrett, 95, of Eastman, Georgia, entered her heavenly home on January 31, 2026.

Services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 2:00PM in Southerland Funeral Chapel with Dr. Paul Cowles officiating with interment Dubois Baptist Church Cemetery.

She was born on December 30, 1930, in Bleckley County, Georgia, to Eddie Lee and Mary H. Benton, and lived a life guided by faith, kindness and grace. Her faith was not spoken loudly, but lived daily through humility, compassion and the way she treated others. She truly never met a stranger and had a rare gift for making everyone feel seen, valued and genuinely loved.

Most knew her simply as Mrs. Mary, a name spoken with affection and respect by all who were fortunate enough to cross her path. She carried herself with quiet elegance and warmth, offering kindness freely and without expectation. Her presence brought comfort, her words were thoughtful and her manner reflected sincere care for people. She moved through the world with gentleness and dignity, living her faith through patience, service and an unwavering respect for others.

She devoted more than three decades to her work at Robins Air Force Base, serving as a civilian with dedication and deep pride alongside her husband. Her commitment and work ethic earned her numerous accolades, and she was widely respected and loved by those she worked with. She was deeply proud that her contributions supported the mission of the United States Air Force.

She married the love of her life, L.H. “Bill” Garrett, on November 6, 1948. Their devotion to one another was unwavering and evident to all who knew them.

Above all, she was a devoted and deeply loving mother to Larry and Tina and grandmother to her only grandchild, Jessica. She gave her family the gift of her time, always showing up in the ways that mattered most. Through her gentle presence and enduring love, she made certain they always knew how deeply they were cherished.

She was preceded in death by her husband, L.H. “Bill” Garrett, her parents, Eddie Lee and Mary H. Benton, and her son in law, Paul E. Warren, III.

Left to cherish her memory are her son and daughter in law, Larry and Edna Garrett, her daughter, Tina Garrett, her granddaughter and bonus grandson, Jessica and Jonathan Hanson, and her great grandson, Canaan Hanson, along with all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

While she is deeply missed, we rejoice that she is with the Lord she served so faithfully and was surely welcomed with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Her life, marked by grace, kindness and faith, leaves a legacy of love that will endure.

May we honor her legacy by offering kindness, sharing a smile or a kind word and extending the same grace she so freely gave.

The family will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 1:00PM-2:00PM before services on Friday, February 6, 2026, one hour before services.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Dubois Baptist Church or Faithful Hearts Animal Shelter, both located in Dodge County