Johnnie Gray Garner

Johnnie Gray (Robinson) Garner was born in Indian Mound, Tennessee December 12,1930. She lived between there and Detroit, Michigan during her younger years. Later she did attend Dexter Senior High during her Freshman and Sophomore years. She married Charles William Garner May 6, 1953. As a dedicated wife and mother, she forgo other careers to care for her family. Yet, in 1964, she studied and completed her GED at the age of 34. Her children were Charles Allen Garner and Effie Darlene (Garner) Barba. Her Grandchildren are Derick Alan Garner, Melissa Smith, Alberto F. Barba, Ronald B. Barba, and Nathan Garner. Her great grandchildren are Natalie Clare Smith Vivien Garner, Emma Garner, Aiden Barba, Haley Barba, Annabella Grace Barba, Clara Noelle Barba, Gabriela Faith Barba, Aella-rose Garner, and Virgil Allen Garner. Once her children were grown, Mrs. Garner worked for the Dexter School system cleaning the kindergarten building every evening. She loved cleaning the rooms for the children and while there she prayed for each child as she would clean their individual chairs. Ms. Johnnie, as many affectionately called her, loved to read and crochet. Her Bible was her most precious position and she was the prayer warrior for her family and friends. With a faith that never wavered, she had a prayer wall with pictures of her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and a few select people for whom she prayed every morning for each person while gazing at their picture. One by one each name was lifted in prayer every morning and every evening. Her number one concern? That each one would come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior--for she knew that without Him, nothing else really mattered in this life. She has gone on to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was preceded by her husband and her son. Both of her parents Margaret Shell Reed and Samuel William Robinson preceded her as well as her sister Jannette Allie Maycox. She has two surviving sisters who live in Tennessee , Linda Lyle and Saundra Rankin. Hers was a legacy of faith, endurance, and uncompromising love. Whatever challenges life may bring, she would tell you, God is the answer. Then she would ask, "Do you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Did you know He died so that you might live? He paid the price for your sin and He will cloak you in His robe of righteousness so that you might spend eternity with Him, if only you would believe? If the answer was no, you became a picture on her prayer wall alongside her beloved family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com Watkins and Sons Funeral Service