Bettie Jane Varnon Garrett was the unexpected blessing born to Henry Forney Varnon and Jeanie Prather Varnon in Emory, Texas. She had four grown siblings at the time and her nieces and nephews were more like her siblings. Bettie described herself as the “baby” of the town. Raised like an only child, she was favored as such all her life.
Bettie graduated from Emory High School in the small class of 1954. This close group of friends enjoyed reunions during the Rains County Fair for many years. Bettie was active in clubs in high school and on the women’s basketball team. She was not 5’10” for nothing! Her first job was at Booker’s drug store and soda fountain on the square in Emory. Working at the soda fountain gave Bettie an outlet for her bubbly, friendly personality, since everyone came to visit at Booker’s.
Bettie met James Ray Garrett on that town square in Emory at the age of 16. They were married on November 10, 1954. The rest is a history of 64 blessed years together. Those blessings were all named with JRG initials: Janice Raylene, James Richard, and Jeana Renee’.
Bettie moved to Dallas and lived at the YWCA. She soon was employed by The Great A&P Tea Company, where she worked for many years as a bookkeeper and then as Assistant Traffic Manager. Her professional career spanned over 60 years. She was one of the first women in the nation to work in the grocery transportation business, working on the logistics of moving trucks and rail cars with supplies for the grocer’s warehouse, then distribution to the stores. Bettie made friends and connections all over the USA. During times of transition, Bettie served as “acting Traffic Manager” until the next man could be hired for that position. Cullum Companies (Thom Thumb) hired her, not a man, in 1975 as THE Traffic Manager. Bettie served on both State and National Boards of Transportation, the Southeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and in various ways at every church she attended.
Bettie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, daughter Renee’ Garrett, son Rick Garrett, grandchild Crystal Garrett. She is survived by daughter Raylene McKinnon (Robert), and daughter-in-law Lori Garrett. She was Mimi Jane to five grandchildren: Morgan Garrett (Evin), Lindzi Novak (Nick), LorAnn Garrett Newman (J.D.), Brannon James Garrett, and Garrett McKinnon (Molly Hansen); 3 great-grandchildren: Rhidin P. and Rhiot B. Novak, and Ricky Fincher Garrett Newman. She was Aunt Bettie to 31 nieces and nephews.
