Kenneth Terrell Garrett

Funeral services for Kenneth Terrell Garrett, 79, of Big Sandy, Texas, will be held at 4:00 pm, Friday, April 25, 2025, at McWhorter Funeral Home with Brian Zappa officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Thursday.

Kenneth was born on May 25, 1945, in Toccoa, Georgia, to Charlie Dance Garrett and Frances Eleanor Fowler Garrett and passed from this life on April 20, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Kenneth was the youngest of nine siblings, who were raised by their mother. They moved often throughout his childhood, but never leaving the northeast Georgia area. After being discharged from the army in 1965, he settled not far from home in Elberton and started a family. Although he was skilled in many forms of labor, he gravitated to the granite industry, and being an entrepreneur, he opened his own business, Garrett Granite Sales. He was respected in the community and very active in his church, Fortsonia Baptist. He was a deacon and led several youth groups. In 1985, he moved his family to Hallsville, Texas, to partner with his brother Bobby at Garrett Memorial in Longview. He moved one final time to Gladewater, where he opened Gladewater Memorials. Thus keeping the family business that is carried on by his daughter and son-in-law today. Kenneth was very outgoing and always a prankster, never without a joke and a laugh (usually on you). He loved fishing and had an affinity for animals, especially cattle. His pets were cows, more than dogs or cats. He loved music and dancing, and that’s how he met Helen. They married in 1999. He finally retired, and they spent many happy days on their farm. His family never got far away as they all settled in the East Texas area. Again, he was very active in his church, Union Grove Baptist, where his diligence led many lost souls to Christ. Even now, his legacy lives on in Obadiah… Servant of the Lord Missions.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Helen Garrett; son, Bobby Garrett (Sheri); daughter, Shelley Gabriel (Barry); step sons, Charles Turner, Brandon Turner, and Bradford Turner; sisters-in-law, Kathryn Garrett, Lillian Garrett, Janet Wilson, and Ruth Richards; grandchildren, Jacob Garrett, Zackary Martin, Caleb Garrett, Brandon Martin, Alexandria Parker, Michael Turner, Brayden Turner, Jordan Gabriel, Braden Gabriel, Tucker Gabriel; 8 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his eight siblings.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Obadiah Ministries, Union Grove Baptist Church, 2107 Sanders St., Gladewater, Texas 75647.

Please visit Kenneth’s online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.

Arrangements are by McWhorter Funeral Home in Gilmer, Texas. 

Announcement courtesy of Berry Funeral Home in Elberton, Georgia.