Barbara Brock Garrett, 56, wife of Sheriff Randy L. Garrett Jr. and mother of Brittney Jean Garrett, died Wednesday, July 29, 2015, following a valiant battle with pulmonary disease.
She was born April 11, 1959 in Kingstree. Strong in her faith in and love for God, Barbara did not fear death but mourned leaving a large family that she loved immensely.
In addition to her beloved husband and daughter, her family includes two stepdaughters, Lamonda Garrett Sweat of Summerton and Christina Garrett of Florence; two step-grandchildren, Dorothy and Jake Sweat of Summerton; her siblings, Jerry Braxton of Dillon, the Rev. Jessie Brock (Georgia) of Benson, North Carolina, Minnie Crum (Tony) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Pat Lyons (Dennis) and Susie Judy (Tony), both of Manning; 14 nieces and nephews; and 18 great-nieces and great-nephews. Also left to mourn her passing are three caregivers, Patricia Lloyd, Meronica Jackson and Bertha Higgins, whom she loved as family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie Tillman Brock and Eloise Braxton Cutter; and four siblings, Frank Braxton, Leroy Braxton, Frances Kampf and Maryann Lyons.
Barbara’s greatest legacy to her family and friends was to appreciate the gift of time. She once said, “I believe that a person who has been given the diagnosis of a terminal illness really has a second chance in so many ways. For me, being ill has been good in many ways ... it has brought me closer to God, taught me a lot about forgiveness, and made me realize that one of THE most important things in life is TIME.”
Most of Barbara’s early education was in the public schools of Clarendon County and she graduated from Dundalk Senior High School in Dundalk, Maryland.
Outside of her family, Barbara’s greatest pride was in her 24-year career in law enforcement communications. Beginning at the Clarendon County 911 Center, Barbara retired from the South Carolina Highway Patrol in 2013, where she served as Communications Manager for Troop 5, covering Florence, Dillon, Marion, Darlington, Marlboro, Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. She was named Telecommunications Operator of the Year once in Clarendon County and three times with the S.C. Highway Patrol.
The Garrett family would like to especially thank Hospice Care of South Carolina and Chasity Coker. Their loving care was an incredible gift to Barbara, Randy and Brittney.
A funeral service for Barbara Brock Garrett will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, with the Revs. Jessie Brock and Steven Gilchrist officiating. Burial will follow in Clarendon Memorial Gardens.
The S.C. Highway Patrol Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers.
Clarendon County Law Enforcement and the S.C. Highway Patrol will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2015, at Stephens Funeral Home, and at other times at the home, 2193 Lake Shore Drive in Manning.
Memorials may be made to the S.C. Troopers Association, 4961 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29212.
Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements for Barbara Brock Garrett, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
