Mildred Orene Garner, 93, lived a long, happy life and passed away peacefully Saturday, July 9, 2022. She is now reunited with the love of her life, Robert Oliver Garner, Sr. who died in 2010 whom she was married to for 61 years. One daughter, Shelly Olivia Garner Walker preceded her in death in 2019. She is survived by two of her three children, Nancy (Rob) Nygren, Robert O (Wanda) Garner, Jr., one sister, Martha Shillingburg (Chris). Grandchildren Alan (Victoria) Graves, Randall Graves, and Ben (Amanda, deceased) Booker. Along with numerous nephews, niece, and other adopted family.
Mildred was born on March 1, 1929, in Mississippi. She was the first of six children. Mildred was born in a recession losing her father to early. She had to quit school so she could go to work and help her family. She worked alongside her mother in the textile industry having to walk to and from work each day. She once describer how hungry and tired she was after her shift. She hardly ever complained about much. She had a bright face and smile. Her cherry personality always shone through even as she aged and gathered more and more aches and pains.
Even though both her and her husband were born in Mississippi just a few miles apart, they met in California while Robert was stationed in the military, and she was visiting her half-sister, Dell. They were wed shortly thereafter in 1949. She followed him around the country throughout his 22 years of military service.
After settling in Mobile in the 60's they bought a house, and she finally had a permanent home. She loved gardening. Her yard was always free or nearly free of weeds and full of flowers. She spent most of her waking hours outside in her yard. Even after her doctors told her not to go outside during the heat of the day, she continued to do so. She even neglected, according to Robert, to cook for him. He once resorted to inviting one of their grandsons for lunch and telling him what to request because her husband knew she would do anything for her grandsons.
In 2019 she was placed in a nursing home on the same day her beloved first-born daughter died. In her last years she was confined to a wheelchair which did not keep her down. She would shuffle her feet and disappear in no time. Several times her son-in-law had to chase her down after the many doctor appointments he escorted her to. She would have enough and said she was going outside. Mildred was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother.
She taught Sunday School for young children for many years at (now closed) Westlawn Baptist Church. The children were very excited each Sunday to find out what creative project they would get to work on. She was just as excited to see and teach each and every one of the children. Special thanks to North Mobile Nursing Home for her care the last years of her life.
March 1, 1929 ~ July 9, 2022 (age 93)
Public Visitation Monday July 18, 2022 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home 6040 Three Notch Road Mobile, AL 36619 Funeral Service Monday July 18, 2022 10:00 AM Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home
