Jane Garrison

Jane Lee Garrison, of Joplin, MO, passed peacefully into God's kingdom on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Jane was born in West Virginia where she spent much of her time reading every book she could find. Curiously, she always began a book by reading the last chapter. It is no surprise she would spend over forty years in the classroom as an elementary school and reading teacher. It was this passion to teach that is the subject of an ongoing question, "What was Jane's real age?" Back in 1942, her health records were destroyed in the great Appalachian tornado outbreak. Later she applied for a Delayed Birth Certificate. Only recently, following her death, did her family discover her original applications for this certificate. On them, she wrote her year of birth as "28, 29, 30?" A final certificate was issued with DOB 1-2-1930. According to the government, she was 89 at her death. Most people, including Jane, believe she was 91. Rumor has it, she loved teaching so much, she saw the "flexible" DOB as an opportunity to make herself younger… so she could teach two years longer, past state retirement age rules. Until her last breath, Jane encouraged all to strive to learn and be better. She never forgot a name or a face, especially of a former student. Green was her favorite color. She said it symbolized life. She loved buttermilk, Sonic ice, and root beer floats. You could always find floss or a toothbrush in every room of the house, along with comics cut out of the newspaper. Her favorites included Beetle Bailey, Blondie and Garfield. It was a rare event to find her kitchen table uncluttered. Most people agree it didn't take long to find she enjoyed a good argument and was highly skilled presenting her side. The family often questioned why she didn't become a lawyer. Eventually, she would admit she cared less about winning and more about learning and being better. Above even these two qualities was her love of being around children and friends. Jane now joins countless friends and family in paradise. They include her loving mother and father, Lucy Jane and Albert Lee Flaherty; adoring husband, Richard Paul "Pete" Garrison; beloved and ‘ornery' son, Jeffrey Lee Garrison. (Jane would want you to know the correct pronunciation of ornery, too.) She is survived and missed by her children: Sir Roccko the Scottish Terrier and Patches the Calico Cat of House Garrison of Joplin, MO; Richard Garrison and daughter-in-law Cathy Garrison of San Diego, CA; Peggy Robinson of Springfield, MO; Glenda Garrison, daughter-in-law, and widow of Jeffrey Lee Garrison of Springfield, MO; Janet Garrison of Gaithersburg, MD; Mary Alice Provance and son-in-law Doug Provance of Springfield, MO; Gregory Paul Garrison of Seattle, WA; her beautiful grandchildren: Gabrielle Garrison; Elle, Maria, Joshua and William Provance; David, Paul, and Adam Robinson; Felicia Marie Holland, daughter of Janet Garrison; a beautiful great-granddaughter: Kylia Robinson, daughter of David Robinson, and countless former students, friends and neighbors. The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Laurie and Donnie Tandy of Joplin, MO and Linda Laughlin, next door neighbor to Jane for over twenty years. Thank you for your time, kindness and generosity in discovering the joy of being with Jane. You are a symbol of love in one of Jane's favorite Bible verses, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (First Corinthians 13:7). A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at 2:00pm at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark, Missouri located at 504 West Walnut Street, Ozark, MO 65721. Children are especially invited, to honor her memory and fondness for teaching. Should friends desire, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Watered Gardens, a rescue mission organization serving the poor and homeless in Joplin, MO. Jane volunteered there once a month. Please visit wateredgardens.org.