Bonnie “Kate” (Smith) Garner, 88, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2022, at home in Memphis. Arrangements are being handled by Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue in Henderson, TN. Visitation will be from noon-2 p.m. Thursday with funeral service immediately following. Burial will be in Sweetlips Cemetery.
She was born in Finger in 1936 to the late Myrtle and Willard Smith. She met and quickly married the love of her life, Keith Blair Garner in 1956, and together they have three children: Kathy, Kim and Blair. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in Aug. 2022.
Her life would seem too short to many, but those of us who were blessed to be touched by her understand the imprint she left on our hearts far exceeds the quantity of time she was here with us. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, wife and friend. She was quiet in her service to others, firm in her actions and big with her love. She also made a mile-high meringue with such perfection no one has come close to matching. She never missed an opportunity to talk about how much her children and family meant to her — her family was arguably her most important achievement in life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving husband, Keith; her children, Kathy (Roger) Sapp, Kimberly (David) Weir and Blair Garner; her grandchildren, Natalie (Joseph) Clements, Casey (John) Gleysteen, Jessica Lafrain, Michael Coleman, Stacy Garner and Trey Garner; her great-grandchildren, Andrew (Loren) Clements, Nathan Clements, Peyton Garner, Jolie Clements, Presley Lipford, Bryce Lafrain, Emmett Lafrain, John Gleysteen, Oliver Garner and Coleman Gleysteen; her great-great-grandchild, Samuel Clements; and countless friends.
