Garland Boone

Garland as known as “Grapes”, “Uncle G” and “Uncle Dad” was educated in the Indianapolis Public School System. He graduated from Crispus Attucks High School.

Garland loved the Lord and was a faithful member of Healing Streams Baptist Church. In recent years he joined Mt Carmel Church. For many years he worked at the Marion County Public Health Department under the guidance of Dr. Virginia Caine, Director of the Marion County Public Health Department. He started out as HIV Street Outreach Worker, then he became a certified HIV Tester/Phlebotomist. Later he received another certification to become HIV Educator. Garland received the Rick Ewing Award for Community Outreach and Advocacy from Indianapolis Urban League in February 7, 2011 and he was chosen by Indiana Drug Free Commission to receive their Lifetime Achievement Award on March 23, 2016 for being substance free for 20+ years.

After he retired from the Marion County Public Health Department he started working as a Recovery Coach with homeless shelters. Garland was known throughout the city. When someone wanted to get into a substance abuse treatment center he would help them. He would work evenings, nights and on the weekends making phone calls trying to get them into a treatment center. He would give them money to help pay the fees to get into the treatment centers and sometimes he accompanied them as they were being admitted to the centers. He was known to open his home to many.

Garland loved all sports. He lettered in baseball and basketball in high school. He was a joy to be around, always smiled and made people feel comfortable. He enjoyed running marathons, making collages, going to meetings, cooking biscuits and apples and talking to anyone. He was also known for his fashion style. He could wear any color and it looked good on him. He was able to do all this and he never drove a car. When his health took a turn for the worse he enjoyed spending every minute talking to family and friends. He enjoyed whenever his friends came to read the bible, pray and fellowship.

Garland was a father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, uncle-dad, great uncle, mentor, best-friend, neighbor and friend. We could never put into words everything he was to everyone.

Garland received his wings on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the age of seventy-five years old. He was preceded by his mother, father, brother Carl Lester Boone and daughter Valarie Boone and nephew Juawawno Boone.

He leaves to cherish his memories sister Phyllis Richardson, brother Eugene Stewart Boone, Jr (Karen), brother William Boone Sr (Patricia), best-friend Mike Bryson (Tianya), Cheryl Pettrie (regarded as his daughter). Nieces- Velvet Hawkins, Valerie Morrison and Nicole Poole. Nephews- Tony Boone, Billy Boone and great nieces/nephew, and cousins.