Donald Russell Garner

Donald R. Garner, 66, of Brooksville, MS passed away at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 3. His funeral service will be held Saturday, October 6, 2012 from Brooksville Baptist Church at 3:00 P.M. with Bros. Jay Spiller and Danny Avery officiating. Interment will follow in Brooksville Cemetery. A period of visitation for family and friends will be held at the church Saturday from 2:00 P.M. until service time. Memorials may be made to Brooksville Baptist Church P.O. Box 52 Brooksville, MS or to your favorite charity. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon, MS is entrusted with the services.

Don Garner, born on October 11, 1945, was a native of Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada who became a naturalized citizen after his family moved to South Carolina when he was in the second grade. He grew up on a dairy farm in the swamps and hayfields of the Low Country of South Carolina and always said that he had a Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn childhood. He graduated from Cross High School in 1963. He moved to Noxubee County in the early 1960’s and married Linda Heard in 1966.Together they dairy farmed there for over 30 more years. He also served six years in the Mississippi National Guard. Don was a faithful member of Brooksville Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and many other positions over the years. His strong faith in the Lord and his perseverance was an inspiration to all who knew him.
He also contributed to his community by serving on various agricultural-related boards. He owned and operated Circle N Feed Store in Macon as well as serving as Head Greens-keeper at Zach Brooks Golf Course in Macon. At the time of his death, he was employed by Noxubee Farm Supply as well as by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Don enjoyed gardening, cross-word puzzles, and MSU athletics. Don was an avid story-teller. His pride and joy, however, were his much beloved grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Russell William and Audrey Ellen McBurney Garner and by one brother: Robert Garner.

He is survived by Linda Heard Garner, his wife of 46 years, as well as by his daughter: Leah G. and Jud Abrams of Starkville, MS and by his son: Russ and Lyla Garner of Brooksville, MS as well as by three sisters: Margaret and Herman Hill of Lebanon, S.C.; Patricia Martin of Pearl, MS; and by Lynn DeHay of Pinopolis, S.C. He is also survived by one brother: Bill Garner of Nixa, MO. Also left to grieve the loss of their grandfather are grandchildren: Caleb Garner, Gina Garner, Garner Montgomery, Sarah Montgomery, and Audrey Abrams. Don is also survived by his father and mother -in-law: John H. and Peggy Heard of Brooksville as well as by a number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.