Patricia Denise Garner

Patricia Denise Garner, 71, a lifelong resident of Hot Springs, passed away March 16, 2024. Denise was born October 30, 1952 to the late James and Jeannette Evans. Survivors include her husband of 37 years, Billy Lee Garner. Her son, Dustin Bishop, his wife Lori and his children, Maya (Jacob) Ligon and Jake Bishop. A sister Connie (Grant) Johnson and bonus children, Laura (Marc) Tucker, Troy (Theresa) Garner, Kelly Garner and Cody (Pam) Garner. Grandchildren Katherine (Tanner) Goulet, Colton Garner, Kyle (Jaci) Chenowith, Austin Garner, Grace Chenowith, Nicole Garner, Madison Mills and great grandchildren Lakyn and Rhett Goulet.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Aundrea Bishop, and siblings Marilu Sautner and Michael Shannon.

She graduated Lakeside High School and held her Arkansas State Insurance License. She worked in a variety of fields, including secretarial positions, chemical sales, risk management, insurance, banking customer relations, and passport service.

Above all earthly things, Denise, renamed NeeNee by her grandkids, loved her kids and grandkids. Dustin and Aundrea were her pride and joy. The times spent with grandkids and great-grandchildren were beyond description. She always had small gifts along with little ice cream cups in the utility freezer for them. It was a joy to watch them discover their treats. NeeNee was the best at remembering birthdays. She enjoyed time with the grand kids drawing with side-walk chalk on the patio, shopping sprees, painting the girls’ nails, having them sit in her lap and hearing their voices when they called.

Denise never met a stranger. She loved God, her church and church family. Her earthly presence will be missed. Her beautiful smile is spreading joy in Heaven to all. Lunch with friends and Friday night dinners with her Sunday School class were favorite events that she looked forward to each week. Denise had the unique ability to picture how a craft should look and spent her spare time designing stained glass works, designing and making jewelry and painting small birdhouses.

When friends would meet her in passing, they would ask how she was doing; her reply, “Just Marvelous”. This exchange of banter eventually led her friends to ask when meeting, “How is Miss Marvelous today?” Denise was always ready for the next adventure and looked forward to going to new places and meeting people.

Denise never missed thanking God for each day that was granted her on this earth. She had survived numerous organ transplants. For the last 14 years she travelled and enjoyed the many beautiful things God had created. Her frequent prayer was to thank God for her eyes to see His wonderful creations.

Memorial services will be held at 2 PM Saturday, April 13th at First Baptist Church. Visitation will precede the service in the downstairs Fellowship Hall from 12:00 pm till 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, offerings can be made to First Baptist Church Hot Springs AR in her name.