Mrs. Doris Mae Palmer Garrett, heard the voice of God, and passed peacefully on Monday August 8, 2022. Mrs. Garrett, a lifelong resident of the Virginia Peninsula, was born on October 31, 1935 in Newport News.  She was the daughter of the late Willie N. Palmer and Doris Parker Palmer Boney.  

She received her primary education in the Newport News Public School system and went on to graduate from Huntington High School in 1954.  

During her childhood, she joined and was baptized at Calvary United Church of Christ in Newport News. While working at the Riverside Nursing Home, she met and married the late Floyce N. Garrett, Sr.  To this union six children were added.  

While raising her children, she bought her first home in 1969 and was employed with the Office of Human Affairs Headstart program.  The first in her family to earn a college degree, in 1986 at the age of fifty, she graduated from Christopher Newport College, and achieved her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher.  

She taught with the Newport News Public Schools until retiring in 1998.   Mrs. Garrett believed faithfully in being present in Christian worship and she served through the years as Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and attendee in various churches including:

Calvary United Church of Christ, Rising Star Christian Church, and Wesley Grove United Church of Christ, all of Newport News. After relocating to Hampton, she moved her church membership and became an active part of New Hope Baptist Church of Hampton VA, where she remained, until her health prohibited regular attendance. Mrs. Garrett was a member of the Huntington High School Alumni Society.  She became a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated -

Newport News Alumnae Chapter on April 22, 1990.  Later, she became a charter member of the Denbigh Alumnae Chapter of that sorority.  Mother Garrett’s dislike of flying could not keep her and her traveling buddy, Yvette, from touring extensively across the United States, Canada, and cruising to many of the Caribbean islands.  

She was the family genealogist and was instrumental in keeping the rest of the family mindful of both our maternal and paternal relatives.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Nelson Palmer.  She leaves behind her daughters: Ramona G. Beach of Hopewell, VA; Debbie G. Cook of Williamsburg, VA; and Yvette M. Garrett of Hampton, VA; her sons, Floyce N. Garrett, Jr., of Washington DC; Duane A. Garrett, Sr., of Stone Mountain, GA; and the Reverend Wesley R. Garrett, of Richmond VA.  Also Mrs. Garrett leaves behind to cherish her memory one sister, Margaret P. Ward of Brooklyn, NY, and one brother, Nathaniel Palmer of Newport News, VA; thirteen grandchildren: Sheree, Daniel, Jameeliah, Jessica, Lee, Malcolm, Jamil, Sherrie, Charles, Duane Jr., Mylinda, David, and Bethany; sixteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two daughters-in-law Kay Garrett, and Shelby Garrett; and a son-in-law, Wayne Cook; two sisters-in-law: Mamie Palmer, and Flora Garrett; along with a score of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.  

Mrs. Garrett leaves behind a legacy of faith and a relationship in Jesus Christ, her strong family bonds, and a commitment to and belief in the value of education. Mother Garrett didn’t just talk the talk, she walked the walk. 

 

 

It is the desire of the Garrett family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

 

The family of Mrs. Doris Garrett has entrusted her final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.