She was preceded in death by her loving husband, George Wilson Garnett; her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca G. and John H. Watach; her parents, Blanche and Effie Duncan; and brother, Herbert M. Duncan.
Left to cherish her memory is her daughter and son-in-law, Terri G. and Danny L. Phillips; granddaughters, Monica W. Burrow (Linwood), and Elizabeth Watach (Jermaine Saunders); a sister, Mary D. Warren; sister-in-law, Elizabeth G. Whipple, sister-in-law, Shirley Blair G. Carter (Thomas), sister-in-law, LaRetta J. Duncan; Special Aunt, Glola Patton; great grandchildren, Jason Burrow (Carrie), Ryan Burrow (Holly); great-great grandchildren, Lauren Burrow, Chase Burrow, Gage Burrow, Caiden Burrow, Conner Galla, Aiden Galla; a host of nieces and nephews; and her companion of twelve years, her little dog, Max.
Betty was born on Curles Neck Farm on July 22, 1931. She lived there with her family until 1947 when they moved to the State Fair of Virginia location (now Richmond Raceway). Her father took the job of Grounds Manager for the State Fair. Betty continued to go to Varina High School where she graduated in 1948. She and Wilson married in 1949 and lived on the grounds of the State Fair of Virginia where her husband worked until his retirement. In 1958, Betty started working for the State Fair of Virginia, first as a secretary and later becoming the first Director of Exhibits and Concessions. She loved her job and the people she met, many who remained friends long after she retired in 1996. After retirement, she continued to work part-time for the State Fair of Virginia for the next 21 years.
Betty also loved to travel. She and her husband along with her sister and brother-in-law traveled the country including Hawaii, Mexico and Canada. After the death of her husband and brother-in-law, Betty and her sister continued to travel Alaska, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and bus tours along the East Coast of the US.
Visitation will be held at the Atlee Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 9271 Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville, on Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 2 to 5 pm. A private family service will be held Friday, December 18, 2020 at the Atlee Chapel, Woody Funeral Home at 2 pm followed by a graveside service at 3 pm for family and friends at Signal Hill Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to the State Fair of Virginia Scholarship Fund or to the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Station 6.
