Carolyn B. Garner

Funeral services for Carolyn B. Garner, 97, of Ruston, will be held in a private family graveside service, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery.

Interment is under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 23, 2022, from 1-2 p.m. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, John Denmon Garner, Sr.; and grandson, John Jay Rey, III.

She is survived by her sons, John Denmon Garner Jr. and wife Pamela, and Steve Garner; grandchildren, Jennifer Gaudreau, Stephanie Garner, Mary Virginia Carter, Benjamin Garner, Megan Brown, Alexandria Robinson, and Kent Garner.

Carolyn was an honor student at Tech High School, and graduated Louisiana Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1943 at the age of 18. She immediately began work at Hodge-Hunt Lumber Company, but soon, on April 28, 1943, married a cadet in the Army Air Corps; a union that lasted 69 years.

They went where the Army directed until the war ended. Carolyn was active in church and community, teaching at Ruston High School, private piano lessons, and Temple Baptist Church Sunday School, positively influencing many youth. She joined with other music teachers in 1964 forming the Ruston Music Teachers Association, developing music appreciation, promoting educational discipline, and complementing civic and religious values.

Until declining health, she was an active member of The Littera Club. She loved her flowers, and was a prolific grower of African Violets often holding gatherings of growers in her home. This love was replicated in a later love of china painting natural beauty.

Most of her latter days were spent in her recliner next to the picture window actively viewing the seasonal flowers, birds, and the theology of God’s creation.

In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to their favorite children’s ministries, or to the children’s ministries of local churches.