Joe Millard Garrison

Joe Millard Garrison, Sr, age 79, of Bethpage, TN died peacefully on September 23, 2018 surrounded by family and close friends. He was born on January 31, 1939 in Nashville, TN. He was preceded in death by his father, Sam W. and mother, Lena B. Garrison; brothers Roy E. and Lynn D. Garrison. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Gayle Derryberry Garrison; daughter Camille (Barry) Pickering; sons Joe M. Jr (Stacy) Garrison, Tim (Lee Ann) Garrison, and Todd (Anna Jean) Garrison; Grandchildren, Joe (Sarah), Caleb (Stacey), Stephen, Desiree, Tyler, Grant, Thomas, Jessica, Braden, and Will; great grandchildren Lena, Megan, Luke, Charlotte; Brother James (Jo) Garrison; Sisters Carol (Ken) Brown, Joy Powell; Sister-in-Law Evelyn Garrison; Brother-in-Law Newton (Leah) Derryberry; and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Joe’s life will be at 11 am, Saturday, September 29th, at Corinth Church of Christ, Portland, TN with John Hunt and James Parker officiating. Visitation will be 2 to 8 pm, Friday, September 28th and from 9 to 11 am, Saturday, also at Corinth Church of Christ. Wilkinson & Wiseman Funeral Home, Portland TN will be handling arrangements. A graveside service will be held Saturday at 2:30 pm at Jones Cemetery, Columbia, TN with Jimmy Hunt officiating. Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home, Columbia, TN will be handling graveside arrangements.Joe married Gayle on September 3, 1957. He was a devoted and caring husband. He was a wonderful example and doting father and grandfather. He was a special “Uncle Joe” to numerous nieces and nephews, as well as a father figure, mentor and confidant to his many “adopted” children. He was blessed to have a host of loyal friends and neighbors.Joe was known for his love of singing and had a special gift of leading singing. He was passionate about using this talent as often as possible. He was also known for his wonderful sense of humor, and his love for trading cars.Joe became a Christian at an early age, and his Christ-like example was known to all who ever knew him. He worshipped at Corinth Church of Christ. Joe was a worker, helping the family income by delivering newspapers in East Nashville at the age of 8 years old. He graduated from East High School in 1957. He began formal work for National Life Insurance in the mail room as a junior in high school. In 1965, he was employed by DuPont, in Old Hickory, TN as a millwright, retiring in 1985. He then carried mail for the US Postal Service in Gallatin, TN. Eventually, his love for trading cars led him to put his entrepreneurial spirit and passion into buying and selling cars for the remainder of his life. It is through this passion that he was able to influence so many people with his love for Jesus.Joe’s grandsons and great-grandson will serve as pallbearers. Joe’s numerous close friends, Corinth church elders and deacons, care-givers, East High Chorus and “The Dirty Dozen” are recognized as honorary pallbearers.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Corinth Church of Christ India Fund or to Healing Hands Int’l, 455 McNally Dr, Nashville, TN 37211 or at https://www.hhi.org/donate/. Online tributes may be submitted at www.wilkinsonwiseman.com or www.oakesandnichols.com.