Ruth Moran Barnwell Garrison || Obituary

Photo: Submitted

Ruth Moran Barnwell Garrison, 87, of Detroit, Texas passed away Monday, February 21, 2022, at Paris Regional Medical Center.

Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 25th at the First Christian Church of Detroit with Keith Burkart and David Montgomery officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Detroit Cemetery.

Ruth was born the daughter of Samuel & Charlene Ham Barnwell on Aug. 9, 1934, in the Catonville Community near Detroit, Texas. She was a 1952 graduate of Detroit High School. She and her husband, Ragsdale David “Red” Garrison were married Aug. 19, 1951, and celebrated 61 years of marriage prior to his death in 2013. They built their life in their hometown of Detroit, Texas surrounded by many life-long friends, many close family members and raising their three children in their hometown.

Ruth was a member of First Christian Church of Detroit. She spent many years working for the light company – Community Public Service. She also worked as a substitute teacher in the Detroit ISD. She is well known for her excellent cooking and being an exceptional 42 player. She and her husband, Red, spent many years traveling the USA in their RV camper, enjoying the beauty of our nation and having good times with friends and family. In recent years, Ruth’s joy and constant companion has been Charlie, her little Yorkie.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her dear grandmother, Mary C. Moran Barnwell; three brothers: David, Frank & wife Billie, Michael & wife Ina; two sisters: Mona Ann Barnwell and Mary Drew Barnwell Gibson & husband Calvin, grandson-in-law, Kenneth Jones, and great-grandson, Carson Jones. She is also preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Mary Lee Garrison Knippenberg and brother-in-law, Claude Hill.

Survivors include her three children: David Mark Garrison & wife Pamela of Powderly, Elizabeth Ann Garrison Burkart & husband Keith of Cypress, and Jason Michael Garrison & daughter-in-law Jeri Sprools Garrison of Oklahoma City, OK. Surviving grandchildren include Brandi Jones of Paris, Kris Garrison & wife Lesley of Midlothian, Josh Garrison & wife Jennifer of Detroit, Kevin Burkart of Houston, Rebecca Burkart of Houston, and Ella Jace Garrison of Oklahoma City, OK. Surviving great-grandchildren are Devin Jones, Abigail Jones, Layni Garrison, Zach Garrison, Kayci Garrison, Marlee Garrison, Cy Garrison, and Ciannah Garrison. Ruth has one surviving brother, Neil Victor Barnwell & wife Gail of Bogalusa. She is also survived by brother-in-law, Tom Knipppenberg, sister-in-law Fay Elizabeth Garrison Hill and Kay Garrison Montgomery & husband David along with several nieces & nephews and a plethora of friends.

The family would like to express appreciation for a life-long friend, Pat Castleman Fagan and niece, Rachael Gibson. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Detroit Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 111, Detroit, TX  75436 or the First Christian Church of Detroit, 665 S. Main St., Detroit, TX  75436.

To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com