Verna Mae Garrett

Obituary Verna Mae (Etienne) Garrett peacefully departed this life and earned her angel wings early Monday morning on February 5, 2024. She was surrounded at home by family as they watched her call out to her father and held out her arms. For the past year she has been battling an aggressive stage of leukemia. Verna is the smart, vivacious, bossy eldest of 7 children born to Louis Etienne, Sr. and Tellamay Etienne. She was born and raised in the small town of St. Martinville, La, located in southern Louisiana between New Iberia and Lafayette. Fondly known as Tut to her hometown, she learned to cook from her mom, taking charge of family meals while her mom worked at the canning factory. Tut’s formative years were filled with lots of family and friends and a welcoming backyard serving as the hub for activities like softball, volleyball, crawfish boils, and barbeques. Her education included Notre Dame Catholic School for her elementary years and graduation from Carver Senior High School. At Carver, she excelled in playing the clarinet in the band, she participated in the choir, and learned sewing in home economics. This skill flourished when she moved to New York where she meticulously crafted clothes for herself and later her three daughters. After graduating from high school in 1957, Tut moved to Schenectady, NY to assist her uncle and ailing aunt with their household. It was there that she met and fell in love with a young sailor, Joe Garrett. They were married for 54 years until Joe’s passing in 2014. From this union 4 children were born, three daughters and a son. The couple navigated military life with eight different addresses over 18 years, residing in locations such as Virginia Beach, San Diego, Vallejo, and Washington DC. As a military wife, Verna actively participated in Military Wives Clubs, showcasing her friendly smile, organizational prowess, and sewing skills. She crafted not only clothes for herself and her daughters but also costumes for school plays. Verna did not like to sew clothes for men. After Joe’s Navy retirement in 1977, the couple chose to make the Washington DC area their permanent home. A devout Catholic, Verna sought out a Catholic church in every location. She loved the rosary. She has been a member of Holy Family Catholic Church since 1977. Actively engaged in church activities, she contributed to CYO events, participated in the Choir, and joined the Sodality. Upon settling in Washington DC, as her children were older and more self-sufficient, Verna embarked on a career journey. In 1975 she joined the Department of the Army as a mailroom clerk. Her commitment led to an 18-year tenure with the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. Before retiring in 2005, her title was Support Services Specialist at the Department of Homeland Security, overseeing a team responsible for ordering supplies, transportation for the directors, and facilitating the secure transfer of classified documents. The name Granny originated in 1985 with the arrival of her first grandchild, Reon, who coincidently shares the same birthdate. Choosing a grandmother’s name for herself, she opted for the simplicity of Granny over more glamourous options. Much like her approach to parenting, Granny was actively engaged in the lives and activities of all her grandchildren. As a result, she got to know many of their friends and parents and became their surrogate Granny. If you have ever been to a track meet, especially a CYO track meet, you know we were there from the morning to late afternoon, so it gave you lots of time to get to know each other. Granny made each grandchild feel special, establishing unique bonds. Beyond the fun and games, she balanced with a firm hand, ruling with a ruler, but she was also very loving and forgiving, becoming a rock for everyone. Her knack for providing the best snacks extended to accommodating special food requirements. Verna leaves behind to cherish her memory, son, Jerry (Jacqueline) Garrett; daughters Angela (Conrad) Hill, Darlene (Rene) Miller, Shari Ann Garrett; one sister, Margaret Savoy of St. Martinville, La; sisters-in-law Cheryl Thomas, Judy and Susan Etienne, and Jessie O’Neal; brother-in-law, William Guidry; sister-best friend, Laverne Reddick; 7 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by parents Louis Etienne, Sr. and Tellamay (Tom) Etienne; spouse, Joe Garrett; brothers, Louis (Butch) Jr., Billy, and David Etienne; sisters Jane and Kathleen Guidry.

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Verna Mae Garrett

March 17, 1939 - February 5, 2024