Dena Marie Garrison

We lost Dena Marie (Dawson) Garrison much too soon to a short battle with cancer. Dena was born to Dee and Ann Dawson in Clinton, Arkansas, February 17, 1959. Moving to Stephenville, Dena attended Morgan Mill school followed by Stephenville High School, where she excelled in sports, earning a scholarship to Texas Tech in basketball. Dena learned her work ethics helping with the family dairy and carried that ethic with her throughout her life, choosing a career in Human Relations to be able to help others.

She met the love of her life Glenn, and after a short romance, they were married in 1987. Raising her two children, Rusty and Mica was some of her most beautiful and wonderful times…totally involved in all of their activities. She, Glenn and the kids spent much time camping, fishing, seeing the Southwest and spending time at the lake with close friends…truly wonderful times with many stories that she cherished and shared when with friends. As the kids grew up, she and Glenn took to riding motorcycles over the country for thousands of miles, making new friends, bringing pictures with new stories to tell. Later in years she was blessed with three grandchildren, Jasmine, Makenna and Wesley…all which moved deeply into her huge and open heart.

Dena never really understood how many lives she touched…and how many people had such affection for her. She couldn’t realize that within minutes of talking with someone…being friends, new acquaintances, co-workers or even clients she helped through her work how we all could truly feel the compassion and care for us that she naturally exuded. So quickly she could touch your life and know that you were in her heart and that she cared. Being naturally quiet, often it would remain unsaid…but you knew that her feelings for you were there by the look in her eye and the tone of her voice. Amazing as she was, the ability to always find more room in her heart for others was her greatest gift…and all of us reading this should know that we have all been truly graced and blessed to have known her. The family knows and truly appreciates that all of you are sharing in our grief of losing one so precious to us so soon.

Dena was preceded in death by her parents Dee and Ann Dawson. She is survived by one sister Sharon, two brothers Greg and Guy Dawson, her husband Glenn, son and daughter-in-law Rusty and Keesha, daughter Mica and three precious grandchildren Jasmine, Makenna and Wesley. The family asks humbly for them to remain in your prayers but more importantly keep the memory of such a wonderful person in your hearts for those times that all of us have when you may need to remember that you have been loved by others.

The family of Dena (Dawson) Garrison would be overjoyed for Dena's friends to attend a Celebration of her wonderful Life on Saturday October 5th. The Celebration will start at 1:30 and go until around 3:00/3:30. Dena's Celebration will be held at the courtyard of Extreme Exteriors, 1800 Industrial Blvd Abilene Tx, 79602.This will be an informal event as Dena wanted...a time for her friends and family to simply gather and meet one another, to share stories, memories and to leave knowing more about her than what you arrived with...and hopefully gaining new friends in the process. This will be an informal family environment Celebration of Life with adult beverages, refreshments and food to share, family photos to look through and a video of portions of her life for all of us to view. The family requests no gifts, flowers, etc...only your attendance.

Additionally, we would truly appreciate it if you shared any photos, memories or simple comments of Love for Dena on this website link. This link will remain and will be updated from time to time going forward. A place to go and remember her from for those times in the future where she may cross your minds...or feel her touch on your hearts.