Martha Jo Garrett

Martha Jo Garrett “Jo”, age 95, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2023, at her daughter's home in Bartlett, Tennessee, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born October 22, 1927, in Tunica County Mississippi, to Thomas Martin Gross and Frankie Elisabeth Garner Gross. She had 7 siblings Vera Floyd (deceased), Garner Gross (deceased), Claudia Harrell (surviving), Stickland Gross (deceased), Patsy Gross (deceased), Peggy Gross (deceased), and David Michael Gross (deceased). She spent her early youth in Carthage, Mississippi. Her family later moved to North Mississippi, where she attended high school and where she met her future husband and love of her life, Roy Edward Garrett (deceased). She married her high-school sweetheart December 25th, 1944, at the age of 17. They were sealed as a family for time and eternity on June 20, 1951, in the Mesa, AZ temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had been married 46 years at the time of Roy’s passing in 1991. (This year they would have celebrated their 79th anniversary). They were blessed with six beautiful children: Sandra Faye Shirley (Lloyd Shirley), Thomas Edward Garrett (Juanita Garrett), Marion Elizabeth “Beth” Crunk (William Crunk), Marjo Ann (Dodie) Moseley (Richard Moseley), Holly Lyn Jordan (David Jordan), and Laury Reed Garrett (Joni Garrett).

Jo’s life was centered around her family, home, and faith. She was a gifted cook who rarely needed a recipe. This talent strengthened the bond with family and friends as favorite dishes like biscuits and gravy, chicken and dumplings, cinnamon rolls, and banana pudding were often requested and graciously shared. She had a love of music, and her gentle singing filled the house as she went about her work. She encouraged an appreciation for the arts in her children (with admittedly mixed success). She was an expert gardener and loved tending her roses and growing vegetables. She was a master of the disappearing art of canning and passed her knowledge on to her children, while together they shelled purple hull peas, shucked and silked corn, picked berries and peaches, and shelled pecans. She had a great appreciation for the outdoors and enjoyed camping with her family, fishing, and even hunting with her husband. She loved her country and, by her example, taught her children to treasure their freedom and fulfill their civic responsibilities. She was quick with a quip such as: “heap hands make light work”, or “every pot has to sit on its own bottom”, or even “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Some of her guilty pleasures were cornbread with buttermilk, frozen custard, shoes, and shopping at Goldsmith’s with her daughters.

Jo had faith in, and love for the Savior, Jesus Christ. She was often found studying her scriptures and researching her family history. Her strong faith in her Savior guided her life, and she confidently shared her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. She loved serving and throughout her life, dedicated her time and talents to service in many leadership positions at her church. She especially loved working with young women and served as a youth advisor and camp leader for decades.

While these things were very important to her, her greatest accomplishments were in the home.  Jo was an affectionate and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was lovingly referred to as Mamaw by many, including her 27 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. Through warm embraces and the touch of her gentle hand, Mamaw had an ability to make everyone around her feel truly loved. Because of her sweet, gentle spirit and sense of humor, her life will be cherished forever by her family. Her legacy of love and faith is the greatest gift she has left for her family and friends.

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