James "Gene" Eugene Garrett

James Eugene 'Gene' Garrett, 85, resident of Abbeville Arms Apts. # 1803 widower of Nancy Argo Garrett passed away Monday May 4, 2009 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, SC.

Born in Greenwood, SC, he was a son of the late Thomas Ray and Eula Wylie Garrett.

Gene was a United States Navy veteran of World War II. After completing his military duty, he returned to Abbeville and began working at Beaty Oil Co. for over 25 years. He then became the owner and operator of the Western Auto Store in Abbeville for many years. He completed his career upon retirement from the City of Abbeville Public Works Dept. He was also a mason and member of the Clinton Lodge #3 AFM. Gene was also a former city councilman, a member of the VFW and also active as a member of the Abbeville Gideon's Camp. Gene was a very active member of Grace United Methodist Church. He was one of the original members of Grace United Methodist Church Building Committee. He was also a former Lay Leader of the church, Sunday School teacher, member of the Men's Bible Class and the Methodist Men's Club of the church. Gene will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather to his loving family and will be greatly missed by his many friends.

Survivors include 1 son Thomas Ray "Buddy" Garrett of Greenville, SC; 3 daughters Nancy Gene Erwin and her husband Mike of Abbeville, SC, Kathy Scoggins and her husband Joe of Abbeville and Eleanor Garrett of Central, SC; 1 sister Rene Phillips of Greenwood, SC; 7 grandchildren Wayne Erwin and his wife Jane of Abbeville, Jim Erwin and his wife Emily of Abbeville, SC; Aimee Goldman and her husband Sean of Abbeville, SC, Chad Scoggins and his wife Andi of Pelzer, SC, Hannah Strickland of Anderson, SC, Adam Strickland of Pelzer, SC, Thomas Ray "Chip" Garrett, Jr. of Spartanburg; 10 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday May 6, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev.'s Eddie Taylor and Tye Sorrow officiating. The burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with military rites.

Gene is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 PM Tuesday evening. The family is at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Scoggins 105 Squire St. Abbeville, SC.

Active pallbearers will be grandsons Wayne Erwin, Jim Erwin, Chad Scoggins, Adam Strickland, Lane Erwin, Jesse Erwin, Ethan Erwin and Sean Goldman. Honorary pallbearers will be The Men's Bible Class.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials in memory of Mr. Garrett may be made to Grace UMC, Building Fund, PO Box 1254 Abbeville, SC 29620 or to Melrose Cemetery Association PO Box 298 Abbeville, SC 29620.

Visitation

Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home
208 South Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
6:00-7:30 PM

Service

Grace United Methodist Church
East Harrisburg St
Abbeville, SC  29620
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
2:00 PM

Interment

Greenwood Memorial Gardens
111 Hwy 25
Greenwood ,  SC  29646