Funeral services for Edwin Booz Garrett will be conducted Saturday, December 30th at 2pm from the chapel of Halls Funeral Home in Livingston. Visitation will be Friday, December 29th from 5pm-9pm and Saturday from 12pm – 2pm time of services. Burial will be in the Garrett Family Cemetery on Mitchell Creek Road in Allons. Bro. Thomas Hale, Thurman Seber, Roy Lee Seber and family members will be officiating.

Edwin passed from this life on Wednesday morning, December 27, 2023, from Bethesda Healthcare in Cookeville following an extended illness. He was born in Overton County, Allons, to the late Booz B. Garrett and Ove Mae Buck Garrett on November 5, 1933. He was a member of the Allons Baptist Church for over 65 years. He was ordained as a deacon in 1966 and served till the time of his passing. In recent years he was a member of Gideons International, an organization he believed in deeply.

Edwin leaves behind a son, Martin Garrett and wife Lounetta of LaVergne, TN, a daughter Lisa Coil and husband Chris of Allons, TN, grandchildren Stephen Garrett and wife Jaime of Antioch, TN, Russell Garrett of Nashville, TN, Ivan Coil of Cookeville, TN, and EmmaClaire Coil of Allons, TN. Great grandchildren, Carter, Wesley, Cooper and Savannah Hope Garrett all of Antioch, TN. He leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews that were near and dear to his heart. Many of them were with him during his last hours of life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 65 years, Peggy June Robbins Garrett, and his dear daughter Juliet Kim Garrett. He was also preceded in death by his beloved sister Ann Maxine Garrett Nivens, and a half-brother, Pascal Garrett, Jr. Edwin was the oldest living member of the Jacob Garrett lineage at the time of his passing.

Edwin attended one-room schoolhouse Cedar Grove Elementary till the 8th Grade. He attended Allons Elementary for the 8th grade only. He cherished Cedar Grove Elementary, the friends and cousins he attended with, and the stories and experiences that contributed to, and blessed him throughout his life. Edwin loved people, and their stories and experiences filled him with great satisfaction, wonder and love. These fondly remembered stories inspired him to write a book in 2017, entitled "They Said It Their Way."

Edwin and Peggy moved to Akron, Ohio to start their life together in 1955. Both Martin and Kim were born in Akron. Edwin worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber from 1955-1961. They enjoyed their time there, but he always longed for home. Also, in 1955, while dreaming of a career in country music, Edwin appeared on the Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs show hosted by Porter Wagoner. Although he gave up his dream to chase a career in country music, Edwin continued his love of gospel, country and bluegrass music throughout his life. He wrote and performed his songs all over the Upper Cumberland and many surrounding areas.

Mr. Garrett began serving the students of Overton County Schools at Hardys Chapel Elementary in 1962. During the next 48 years he served Overton County Schools and the State of Tennessee in various roles: Allons Elementary, principal, teacher and coach, Hilham Elementary, teacher and coach, Wilson Elementary, teacher, Central Office- Home Community Agent, Rural Education Improvement Director, Alternative School Administrator, and Director of Schools 1986-1994. After his retirement from Overton County Schools he began working for the State Department of Education from 1994-1999, and again went back to work when called for Exemplary Education Program thru Tennessee Tech University from 2001-2010, finally retiring from public education after 48 years. He was a member of the Tennessee and

and Overton County Retired Teachers Association. Edwin loved Overton County, its land, its beauty, its people and especially its children!

Edwin loved the United States. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Myers-Zollicoffer Camp No. 1990. Many of his classroom students still fondly remember him singing, "The Bismark" and "The Battle of New Orleans" to them in class. Music, teaching, heritage and faith were at the core of who he was. He will always be remembered for his encouragement to others, his unconditional love of all people, and his unwavering prayer life.

Pall Bearers: Stephen Garrett, Russell Garrett, Carter Garrett, Wesley Garrett, Cooper Garrett, Ivan Coil

Emma Claire Coil, Savannah Hope Garrett

Honorary Pall Bearers: Tony Robbins, Tony Robbins, Jr., Robbie Robbins, Steve Daniels, Buckie Parsons, Junior Little, Doug Young, Willie Hugh Bilbrey, Bill Needham, Mike Gilpatrick, Bruce Seber, Joel Seber, Gerald & Phillip Lewis, and Administrators, Supervisors, Teachers (past & present), faculty & staff of Overton County Schools