Clevis "Ted" Roy Dean Garner

Clevis “Ted” Roy Dean Garner, 76, entered into Heaven’s gates on September 3, 2020, reuniting with his daughter, Cheryl Garner-Hartley, his granddaughter, Madeleine Hartley, and his parents, Lela Mae Freeman Garner and John L. Garner.

Born in Tylertown, Mississippi, Ted was a lifelong resident of Sulphur. He married Sallie Tate Garner of La Mirada, California on May 15, 1964. The couple had three daughters, Cheryl, Rhonda, and Dora. Ted remained fiercely dedicated to his family throughout his life, striving to build a legacy for his children and grandchildren. Ted sought to continually improve himself in every facet of life, setting goals and growing his career, faith, and education. Oftentimes, he could be found studying mathematics, foreign languages, craftsmanship skills and the Bible, all before sunrise. His investment in his children and grandchildren cannot be understated. From an early age, he taught his children and grandchildren to love learning and seek truth in all things.

Ted served in the U.S. Navy from 1961-1965. During this time, while stationed in California, Ted married Sallie and the couple welcomed their first child, Cheryl. After his service was completed, the Garners began building their home in Sulphur, where they welcomed two more daughters, Rhonda and Dora. During this time, Ted began a career as a shift worker and eventually became one of Citgo’s top supervisors in Lake Charles. While working fulltime at Citgo, Ted pursued a college degree, and graduated from McNeese State University. Ted retired from Citgo after 40 years of service.

Ted’s dedication to self-improvement was evident in everything he did. He spent his life learning and growing, inspiring many people along the way. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Sulphur.

Survivors include his loving wife, Sallie Garner of Sulphur; his children, Rhonda Goltzman and husband, Greg of Sulphur, and Dora Mitchell and husband, Mike of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina; his son-in-law, William Hartley of Sulphur; his siblings, Dale Garner and wife, Dollie of Blairsville, Georgia, and Mary Edwards and husband, Richard of Arizona; ten grandchildren, Annabelle Sonnier and husband, Michael, Grayson Goltzman, Isabelle Goltzman, Corinne Mitchell, Rivers Mitchell, Victoria Ellender and husband, Cody, Meredith Gunter, Sterling Hartley and wife Tyler, Sophia Hartley, and Patriot Hartley; and nine great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Garner-Hartley; his siblings, John Garner and Peggy Sue Garner; and his granddaughter, Madeleine Hartley.

A private funeral service will be held by his family and officiated by Pastor James Kressman of New Destiny AG Church in Sulphur. Burial will be in Big Woods Cemetery in Edgerly under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.