Jimmie Alcyone Garner

Precious in the sight of the LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS. --PSALMS 116:15

Jimmie Alcyone Garner, passed away in Fort Worth, TX on May 22, 2023 at the age of 87. Jimmie was born in the small town of Wister, Oklahoma on November 2, 1935, to Charles Benjamin Graves and Thelma Lee (Shippey) Graves. Her maternal grandmother, Mrs. E.E. Shippey, stepped in to fill the role of “Mom” to Jimmie and her young siblings after the tragic early death of their mother. Jimmie’s life was forever blessed by the love and nurturing of this dear lady, and Wister and her grandmother were always the source of the warmest memories of cherished home.

Upon graduating from Wister High school in 1953, Jimmie began her collegiate studies at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, before eventually transferring to the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in Physical Therapy. She was well-suited for her profession—smart and capable in her field, but even more importantly, her work was characterized by respect and compassion, which endeared her to her patients and made her work both useful and fulfilling. On a joyous day in 1958, Jimmie and Jack Wayne Garner were married. They settled down and made their home in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where they worked, raised a daughter, and resided for nearly 57 years, until Jack’s failing health necessitated a move to Texas to be near family. Jimmie adjusted to her new home and widowhood in the final five years of her life. She was blessed to live four of those years with her sister, Lenna Bishop, affording the two loving sisters many a leisure hour to spend recounting old family tales and sharing laughter and love with children, grandchildren. and anyone else who happened into their living room and had the inclination to sit and visit.

In her lifetime, Jimmie filled many roles: precious sister, daughter, granddaughter, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend. But all of these roles, and the many aspects of her entire life, were centered on the foundation of her faith, structured on the mercy and grace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Having trusted Him at an early age for the forgiveness of her sins and her salvation, her life was characterized by her love for Him and her dedication to His Word. This is the blessed legacy she leaves behind: a redeemed life, beautifully lived and blessed by the Lord

. Jimmie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack Wayne Garner, her sister Lenna Graves Bishop, and her brother Cleve Wallace Graves. She is survived by her daughter Brenda Richardson and son-in-law Jim Richardson; granddaughter Katelyn Kidd and her husband Matthew, grandson Daniel Richardson, grandson Nathan Richardson and his wife Tatiana, granddaughter Hannah Richardson, and grandson Zachary Richardson. She leaves behind many other cherished family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on Tuesday, May 30, at 7:00 P.M., at Heritage Baptist Church in Mansfield, TX (201 E Broad St., Mansfield, TX 76063). Burial will be in Wister, OK.