Garnette Spurlock's Obituary
Rooted in TennesseeGarnette Spurlock was born to John and Ella Stewart in Woodbury, Tennessee where her family ran a dairy farm. Garnette was raised and spent most of her life on the farm. In 1937, she married Boyce Spurlock. Together they purchased a new farm with the Stewarts in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and Garnette maintained this residence for the next 61 years. Life on the farm included the raising of two wonderful children: daughter Judy and son Terry.Travelling TimeThough rooted in residence, Garnette and Boyce, often with their family, enjoyed time for travel. They made an effort to visit each of the States, and managed to visit all but two or three. They ventured to Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, Canada, all the great lakes and eastern States, but decided to return to their destination of choice every year: Florida. They enjoyed the beaches and spent many vacations in Panama Beach and Fort Lauderdale.Flora and FoodGarnette’s passions included flowers and food. She maintained beautiful gardens and always relished roses. While enjoying her time nurturing the gardens in spring and summer, she made a weekly ritual of taking a vase of fresh flowers from her gardens to decorate the altar at church. When not tending the flowers, Garnette was hard at work in the kitchen. Her family highlighted her boiled custard, coconut cake, fried chicken, devilled eggs, homemade ice cream, fresh lemonade and popcorn. Even for breakfast, they noted, it was not uncommon to sit down to a meal of pork chops and cream corn. Unfortunately, Garnette could not enjoy most of her culinary creations as she was allergic to fowl; chicken, turkey, eggs, and dairy products. Garnette’s InterestsGarnette found her greatest joy in her children, grand children, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. When she injured her back on one occasion, she noted an urgent need to get well, “I need to be able to take care of Emileigh,” one of her great-great grand babies. Beyond her family, Garnette enjoyed participation in the Home Demonstration Club, a group of adult women, primarily farmwives, who sewed, made crafts, and worked on the values and variations of keeping a home. Garnette also enjoyed her television programs, especially Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, and Martha Stewart. Almost always dressed in purple, she also hosted and visited with many friends. Despite not being a pet person, Garnette did enjoy the company of Doodles, a family Shih Tzu, and loved redbirds and hummingbirds.Christian KindnessGarnette was a good Christian woman and taught her children how to live a Christian life. Part of her Christian charity was her dedication to the church. She served as a Sunday school teacher, church clerk, and was always there for anyone in need. Her children cherished her honesty, generosity and her selflessness. She was a very patient, very loving, very calm woman. Garnette passed away on January 17, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Boyce Spurlock. She is survived by her daughter, Judy (T. Henry) Higgins; son, Terry L. (Ann) Spurlock; grandchildren, Jeff (Yvonne) Higgins, Kristina Spurlock, Brian (Kelly) Spurlock; great-grandchildren, Joshua (Ashley) Higgins, Brittany Higgins, Evan Schmall, Aiden, Quinn and Ryker Spurlock; and great-great-grandchildren, Bryson and Blaine Higgins, and Emileigh Higgins.
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