Richard Lynn Garrett

Mr. Richard Lynn Garrett, 75, died Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at his home in Oxford, MS. The funeral will be Friday, August 11, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Don Gann and Rev. Robert Allen officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow in Eastover Memorial Cemetery.

Richard was born on March 3, 1948, in New Albany, MS to the late Louise McAlister and Leroy Garrett. At a young age, he developed a love for tennis that was nurtured by his father’s disciplined coaching and guidance. He carried this passion into adulthood, playing for many teams over the years as a member of the United States Tennis Association. Richard had a beautiful marriage of 53 years to his wife, Gwen. As newlyweds, they joined First Baptist Church of Oxford, setting a precedent for their life and their children that your faith should always be at the center of your life. Richard began his career as an auditor for Mississippi Federated Co-Ops, earning his CPA license before working for Young and Devoe. He was eventually recruited by Desoto County Co-Op to become their resident accountant. After a long and respected career, he retired in 2014 to enjoy more time with his family. For Richard, few things could beat a day spent on the water fly-fishing with his buddy, Bruce Nicholas, or a round of tennis with his many teammates. Richard was a proud father, always present at every school function or softball game. He took great pride in raising his girls, instilling in them the value of hard work and pushing them to earn their own way in life. Despite this determination for them to pave their own path, he was always there when they needed him. Whether it was a shoulder to cry on, or the advice you could only get from a father, Richard was ever-present and his love never wavered. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Mack Garrett, and brothers-in-law, Jerry Wardlow and Eugene Dowdy.

Richard is survived by his wife, Gwen Garrett of Oxford, MS; daughters, Amy Lynn Young and her husband, Jonathan of Tunica, MS and Beth Chandler and her husband, Asa of Oxford, MS; sisters, Janie Wardlow of Memphis, TN, Rose Dowdy of Etta, MS, Patricia Garrett of Huntsville, AL, and Mary Ann Johnson of Huntsville, AL; sister-in-law, Brenda Garrett of Corinth, MS; and three beloved grandchildren, Garrett Keaton Young, Hayden Michael Young, and Ava Grace Chandler.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Oxford, 800 Van Buren Avenue, Oxford, Mississippi 38655.