Mary Rabun Garrison

With heavy hearts, we announce Mary Virginia Rabun Garrison, 91 years old, passed away late evening on January 22, 2026 at Life Care Center, Wells Crossing Blvd in Jacksonville, FL. Scott Johns, Rick Johns, and Karen Williams were with her when she passed.

Mary was a wonderful mother of five children. Karen Williams, Saint Johns, FL, Michael Johns (Joyce) of Newcastle, Oklahoma, Larry Johns (Fran) of Stapleton, GA, Rick Johns of Middleburg, FL and Scott Johns (Renee) of Jacksonville, FL.

Mary was preceded in death by her father and mother, Either T. and Nanny Lou Rabun of Stapleton, GA.; 4 brothers -John R. Rabun, Billy Lewis Rabun, Either T. Rabun Jr, and Charles Hewitt Rabun; 1 sister, Barbara Ann Barfield. Mary is survived by 1 sister Betty Christine of San Antonio, TX.

Mary was a telephone operator in the early 1950’s in Augusta, GA., Southern Bell (later AT&T) and talked very fondly about her job and friends there, with a few remaining to be lifelong friends. Mid 1950’s she and her husband the late, Vernon A. Johns, moved to Jacksonville, FL where they raised their family and became very involved with their church, Normandy Park Baptist. Mary stayed home and raised her children until the early 1970’s when she returned to her job with the telephone company in Jacksonville, where she eventually retired.

Mary was a fun loving and funny person who always loved to be in on a prank or joke. She loved to cook and a wonderful cook she was. Mary loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in Jacksonville, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma, just wherever they might have been. She was very committed to visiting her family in Georgia where there were a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family as well as her brothers living there.

As Mary became ill with diabetes and was unable to care for herself, she went to live in a care facility. Life Care Center at Wells Road and took wonderful care of Mary. Her children realized, especially in the last few weeks, how much the women there loved her and cared for her and are very thankful for the love shown. They too, talked about her sense of humor and what a prankster she was.

She will be missed by all.

A graveside service will be held at Riverside Memorial Park, located at 7242 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32205. The service is scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM.