Lora Mae Garner

Lora Mae Garner, age 98, passed peacefully from this life February 4, 2023. A lifetime resident of Gadsden, Alabama, Lora Mae is survived by her beloved children, daughter, Betty Garner Clough; son and daughter-in-law, James Rickey Garner and Dr. Miria King-Garner; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Micah and Della Garner; brother, Jimmy Bullard; sister, Alvatine Blackwell; many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews and countless special friends. One of the last of the Greatest Generation, Lora Mae was born in Gadsden, Alabama, July 15, 1924, to Hobert and Ethel Bullard, the second of eight siblings and a 1942 graduate of Etowah High School. She always had a close relationship with her older sister, Margaret, and loved sharing treasured memories of her family and her childhood during the time of the Great Depression. On December 9, 1942, she married the love of her life, James (Jim) Garner who always lovingly called her “Babe.” They enjoyed 50 wonderful years together. Lora Mae had a great capacity to love. She loved her family dearly as well as all her many friends and she was much-loved by everyone who knew her. She felt blessed to have so many special people in her life. Lora Mae was the oldest lifetime member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church and served her family, community and church in many ways throughout her lifetime. She served as primary caregiver to many family members in their final days, including her mother, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. When James returned from military service, Lora Mae took great care of him during the two years he was restricted to a hospital bed. She served as PTA president at Highland School and worked in many leadership roles there. One of the many ways Lora Mae served was through her love of cooking. She was well noted throughout the community as a wonderful cook and was always cooking big meals for family, church gatherings, and community events. She was especially well known for her tea cakes, cakes, and fried chicken. Lora Mae was an exceptional seamstress who loved sewing, crocheting, knitting, cross-stitching, and embroidery. People would travel from miles around to engage her expertise and enjoy her work Lora Mae also loved to travel. She especially enjoyed trips with her family to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Helen, Georgia, Amish country in Tennessee, and to the beach. Lora Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Hobert and Ethel Bullard, sisters Bertha Lou Bullard, Fannie Lee Elliott, Doris Harris, Margaret Garner, and brother McKinley Bullard. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at Village Funeral Home in Gadsden, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM. Burial will be at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery immediately following the service. Rev. Kenneth Lasseter, Rev. Philip Elliott, Rev. Blake Edmondson, Micah Garner, and David Bullard will officiate. Pallbearers will be Mark Elliott, Tim Elliott, Donnie Elliott, Larry Hicks, Adam Blackerby, Danny Day, Tim McGowan, and Leon Gladden. Honorary Pallbearers are Terry McGowan, Russell Samples, Troy Kilgo, and Larry Farley. The family would like to thank everyone for your prayers, visits, and all the love you have shown us. We extend a special “Thank You” to special friend Diania Busby, the Friday Lunch Bunch, special niece Debbie Gwin, to the staff from Amedisys who aided Lora Mae, and to Dr. Morgan-Graves.

Lora Mae Garner

July 15, 1924 - February 4, 2023