Sam L Garrett

MSG Sam L. Garrett was born March 3, 1926 near Clarksville, VA. and attended school in Clarksville until the family moved into North Carolina and he continued his education there.

He was the oldest of seven children and was drafted in World War II and assigned to the Army Air Corps. Some of his assignments were in the Philippines Islands, Hawaii, 5th Regimental Combat Team in Korea (1950-51), Martin Army Hospital Food Service-3 tours, Germany -2 tours. NCOIC of Food Service at Landstuhl Army Medical Center near Ramstein Air Base and Kaiserslautern, Germany, NCOIC of Food Service at Bad Cannstatt, 5th General Hospital. He served 27 years in the Army and retired in August of 1971. He received the Combat Infantry Badge and the South Korean Medal for his service in Korea.

He is preceded in death by his parents Flournoy Owen Garrett and Mary Newton Garrett, his brother Louis B. Garrett, three sisters Helen Yancey, Ida Mae Beasley, and Arlene Kearney.

MSG Garrett is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sarah Garrett, his sister, Ruth Walker of Buffalo Junction, VA., his brother Winston Lee Garrett of Bullock, N.C., his son Sam Jr., of Lawrenceville, GA. (Patti), two daughters, Deborah Wright (Burley), Columbus, GA., Geri M. Corbitt (Rev. Dr. Otis H. Corbitt III), six grandchildren, Matthew Garrett, Christopher Nelson, Molly Wright Starkweather, Barret Wright, Otis Kenyon Corbitt, Devon Leigh Corbitt, two great-grandchildren, Ms. Aurablue Rogers, and Ms. Ryan Starkweather, and several nieces and nephews.

MSG Garrett was a member of Wilson Williams Lodge, Phenix City, Alabama and a Mason for more than 50 years. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than 50 years. He served as Worthy Patron of Peace Chapter, Stuttgart, Germany and also Worthy Patron of Augusta Evans Chapter, Columbus, Georgia. He is the past Grand Master of the Grand Council of Alabama, the past Grand High Priest of Alabama, the Grand Royal Arch of Alabama, and the Grand Commander of the York Rite Bodies of Masonry in Columbus, Georgia. In Germany he worked with the Rainbow Girls sponsored by the Eastern Star and served as a “Rainbow Dad.” He also worked with the DeMolay young men sponsored by the Masons. He also helped establish the first Rainbow Grand Assembly in Germany and received the Grand Cross of Color from the International Grand Worthy Advisor.

While living in Columbus, Ga. He worked with the Cub Scouts sponsored by Eastway Elementary School. Prior to becoming a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church he and his wife Sarah attended the Infantry Center Chapel. They received the “God and Country” award for their 23 years of service for the Lord.

Visitation will be held at Striffler Hamby Mortuary on Macon Road in Columbus, Georgia on Monday, February 23, 2015 from 4 to 7 PM. Services will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at 10:00 AM, in Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby 4071 Macon Road Columbus, GA. They will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Shirley Redmond, pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Rev. Dr. Otis H. Corbitt III, and Rev. William Starkweather. Burial with military honors and Masonic rites will be at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery for family only.

Online condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com