Dexter Ray Garrett

Dexter Ray Garrett, ‘Papa Bear’ to his adored and adoring grandchildren, passed from his first life on June 11th 2026. Although his last illness limited his activities he remained at the center of his family’s life and was never abandoned by his friends who remained faithful throughout his earthly life.

Visitation will be on Sunday June 14 2026 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Thaxton Baptist Church in Thaxton, Mississippi. Services will be on Monday June 15 2026 at 2:00 pm at Thaxton Baptist Church in Thaxton, Mississippi with Reverend Jeff Lawrence, Brother Steve Quarles and Brother Michael Waldrop officiating. Burial will be in Warren Cemetery at Sand Springs. Waller Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.

Dexter was born on January 10, 1939 to Henry Burtis Garrett and Agnes Etoye Lambert Garrett and was reared in the Algoma community in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. His often-repeated stories of fond memories made it obvious that his love for his childhood home and friends never faded. One of ten children, he was a loving brother and uncle whose siblings, nieces and nephews returned the genuine love and affection he had for them.

A lifelong lover of the outdoors he spent countless hours quail hunting with his son, brothers, nephews and friends. When he became a grandfather, he made certain that his grandchildren each had horses of their own which he had them “riding” before their feet would reach the stirrups. After retiring from Ram Golf, he enjoyed many hours raising cattle at his home in Thaxton, Mississippi and spending time with his many friends.

A strong Christian man who read his Bible daily, he was a faithful member of Thaxton Baptist Church and was deeply honored when asked to serve as a deacon in his Church. His love of spending time with his friends, whether on a Church outing or tinkering with a piece of farm machinery, was surpassed only by his love for his family. He took every opportunity to spend time with his beloved grandchild regardless of whether that meant teaching them to drive or climbing into a roller coaster at age eighty-seven.

He was the loving and devoted husband of Betty Waldrop Garrett for more than sixty years. He accompanied her to countless school events at West Union where she taught and spent endless hours with her making ceramics upon her retirement. He was a loving and guiding father of his son spending many happy hours together hunting, attending basketball games, NASCAR races and working on the family farm.

He is preceded in death by his wife of more than sixty years, Betty Waldrop Garrett, his parents Henry Burtis Garrett and Agnes Etoye Lambert Garrett, his seven brothers and one sister. He is survived by one sister, Ollie Hester, one son, Ray (Marcia), two grandchildren Victoria and Alexander, numerous nieces and nephews as well as many friends

Honorary pallbearers will be Nicky Moore, Dave Sites, Robert “Hobby” Garrett and Ben Reisch. Pallbearers will be Steve Berryhill, Jimmy Garrett, Jerry Hester, John Scott, Harold Sneed, Ronnie Steele, John Webb and Ricky Wise.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Thaxton Baptist Church.