Barbara Howell Garner

Barbara Jean Whitlock Chism Howell Garner, 86, went to be with her Lord on Monday, November 29, 2021 from Riverplace Nursing Home in Amory. Born on February 24, 1935 in Lee County, she was a daughter to Ollis Lee and Pearl Odelle Hester Whitlock.

She attended Becker School and for many years, she operated Barbara’s Flowers on Hatley Road later moving to the corner of 3rd Ave. South and 6th street operating as Amory Flower Shop with her girls. She celebrated with those who were newly married and with those who had new babies and she grieved for those who lost loved ones and made each arrangement with her special touch. With a personality as big as the world and a heart even bigger, she knew practically everyone recently catching up with a familiar face in New York in 2019.

Family meant everything to her especially her grandchildren and then, not far behind, was her great grandchildren. She loved to travel and would leave at a moment’s notice to make memories with her daughters. Barbara Jean loved to watch Baseball and followed her grandson, Jeremy’s, softball coaching wherever he went. She had a great faith in God and was a member of Forward Church in Amory.

To celebrate her life, and oh, what a life, her service will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at Forward Church with Pastor Greg Huguley and Rev. Staub Halbert officiating. Burial will follow in the Hatley Cemetery. Her service will be under the direction of Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home assisted by E.E. Pickle Funeral Home.

She is survived by her husband, Wayne Garner; two daughters, Jere Bowen (Stephen) of Amory and Melissa Murphy (Charlie) of Amory; stepdaughters, Sherry Ford (Mike) of Arkansas and Laura Puddister of Canton; grandchildren, John Duke (Julie) of Grenada, Joshua Murphy of Amory, and Jeremy Duke (Melissa) of Amory; step grandchildren, Brandon Bowen (Maren) of Brandon and Christopher Bowen of Oxford; great grandchildren, Pearson Duke, Addie Duke, Conner Duke, and Clayton Duke; step greatgrandchildren, Maddie and Alexis Mason and Paxton and Paisley Bowen, and Audrianna Johnson; and a host of cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Barbara Darnell Chism; husband and the father of her children, Fred Chism; and husband, Bob Howell.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Crook, Jeremy Taylor, Buddy Carlisle, Steve Hunt, Richard Johnson, Nathan Huguley, Chad O’Brian, and Randy Harmon. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Amory Flower Shop and the staff of Riverplace Nursing Home.

Visitation will be on Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at the church.