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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Deacon Alvin Earl Garnett
Deacon Alvin
Earl Garnett
Aug 1, 1933 — Apr 4, 2014
Deacon Alvin Earl Garnett's Obituary
Alvin Earl Garnett was born on August 1, 1933 in Shumansville, Virginia. He was one of four children born to Martha Carter & Robert Earl Garnett. Alvin was preceded in death by both parents and his sister Wilhemina Garnett Jordan.
Alvin entered into eternal rest on Friday, April 4, 2014 at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Alvin accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Shumansville. There Alvin was active serving in the Sunday School Men's Choir, Ushers, Missionaries and Deacon Ministry. He was also Chairman Emeritus of the Deacon Ministry.
Alvin received his early education in the Caroline Public School system. It was there where he discovered his passion for farming while being a member of the 4H Club and bought his first tractor at the ripe age of 16! After graduating from Union High School in 1953 he worked for one summer at The Campbell Soup Company in Salisbury, MD. In November of the same year, he joined the US Army until being honorably discharged in December of 1955 from Fort Hood, Texas. After returning from serving his country, Alvin earned a degree in Apprentice Pressman from John Tyler Community College.
Soon thereafter, Alvin took up employment at Westvaco Virginia Folding Box Company in Richmond, Virginia starting as a Box Catcher. He eventually was promoted to an Apprentice Pressman despite discrimination common during that time. During the 1960's he and many others of his generation helped form a union at Westvaco that ushered in the changes of company policies which led to the fair treatment, advancement and equal opportunities for black company workers. After being passed over for promotion for many years due to the color of his skin, he eventually advanced to the position of Press Operator once the discriminatory policies that he and others helped to change were rectified. As Press Operator his job responsibilities included supervising multiple workers of diverse backgrounds to successfully operate their specific press together.
He would go on to work at Westvaco for more than 30 years before retiring. His perseverance for fair treatment of all the workers at Westvaco became an inspiration and influence for many younger black former workers that still resonates today even after the company's closure.
In 1957, Alvin married Mabel Carter Garnett and in 1970, they adopted their son, Alvester Garnett. He had the distinct honor of being a Life member, a past Chaplain and Trustee of Welcome Masonic Lodge #125.
Alvin was a true outdoorsman, a man that loved working with his hands, immensely enjoyed farming, hunting (especially with his brother Everett), fishing, bee keeping and repairing various mechanical equipment just enough for them to run good for a while so that he might have a chance to repair them again. He found great joy in sharing the fruits of his labor with family, friends and neighbors.
Alvin was noted for his amazing fresh farm grown vegetables that his wife Mabel would lovingly pickle and share with guests at their table and throughout the community. Alvin was also famous in our community and family for sharing the particularly tasty honey that his bees produced. Contingent upon whether he planted clover or buckwheat near the multiple hives on his property, he could bias the flavor of the honey.
Alvin took great pleasure in walking in the path of our Lord Jesus Christ by selflessly helping others throughout our community and will forever be known for the smiles and joy he brought to all those he ever knew or met.
Alvin leaves to mourn his passing his wife Mabel Garnet, one son Alvester Garnett, daughter-in-law Dr. Regina Carter-Garnett, one sister Vivian Coleman, one brother Everett Garnett, sister-in-laws Nancy Cox, Louise Garnett & Cornelia Carter, brother-in-laws Harry Coleman, Samuel Haskey Carter, & Rufus Carter, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends throughout the US and the rest of the world.
Alvin's favorite songs are amazing Grace and Hold to God's Unchanging Hand.
We will all miss him dearly.
Alvin entered into eternal rest on Friday, April 4, 2014 at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Alvin accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Shumansville. There Alvin was active serving in the Sunday School Men's Choir, Ushers, Missionaries and Deacon Ministry. He was also Chairman Emeritus of the Deacon Ministry.
Alvin received his early education in the Caroline Public School system. It was there where he discovered his passion for farming while being a member of the 4H Club and bought his first tractor at the ripe age of 16! After graduating from Union High School in 1953 he worked for one summer at The Campbell Soup Company in Salisbury, MD. In November of the same year, he joined the US Army until being honorably discharged in December of 1955 from Fort Hood, Texas. After returning from serving his country, Alvin earned a degree in Apprentice Pressman from John Tyler Community College.
Soon thereafter, Alvin took up employment at Westvaco Virginia Folding Box Company in Richmond, Virginia starting as a Box Catcher. He eventually was promoted to an Apprentice Pressman despite discrimination common during that time. During the 1960's he and many others of his generation helped form a union at Westvaco that ushered in the changes of company policies which led to the fair treatment, advancement and equal opportunities for black company workers. After being passed over for promotion for many years due to the color of his skin, he eventually advanced to the position of Press Operator once the discriminatory policies that he and others helped to change were rectified. As Press Operator his job responsibilities included supervising multiple workers of diverse backgrounds to successfully operate their specific press together.
He would go on to work at Westvaco for more than 30 years before retiring. His perseverance for fair treatment of all the workers at Westvaco became an inspiration and influence for many younger black former workers that still resonates today even after the company's closure.
In 1957, Alvin married Mabel Carter Garnett and in 1970, they adopted their son, Alvester Garnett. He had the distinct honor of being a Life member, a past Chaplain and Trustee of Welcome Masonic Lodge #125.
Alvin was a true outdoorsman, a man that loved working with his hands, immensely enjoyed farming, hunting (especially with his brother Everett), fishing, bee keeping and repairing various mechanical equipment just enough for them to run good for a while so that he might have a chance to repair them again. He found great joy in sharing the fruits of his labor with family, friends and neighbors.
Alvin was noted for his amazing fresh farm grown vegetables that his wife Mabel would lovingly pickle and share with guests at their table and throughout the community. Alvin was also famous in our community and family for sharing the particularly tasty honey that his bees produced. Contingent upon whether he planted clover or buckwheat near the multiple hives on his property, he could bias the flavor of the honey.
Alvin took great pleasure in walking in the path of our Lord Jesus Christ by selflessly helping others throughout our community and will forever be known for the smiles and joy he brought to all those he ever knew or met.
Alvin leaves to mourn his passing his wife Mabel Garnet, one son Alvester Garnett, daughter-in-law Dr. Regina Carter-Garnett, one sister Vivian Coleman, one brother Everett Garnett, sister-in-laws Nancy Cox, Louise Garnett & Cornelia Carter, brother-in-laws Harry Coleman, Samuel Haskey Carter, & Rufus Carter, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends throughout the US and the rest of the world.
Alvin's favorite songs are amazing Grace and Hold to God's Unchanging Hand.
We will all miss him dearly.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 10th from 12 Noon - 8 PM at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, 21795 Mattaponi Trail, Milford, Virginia 22514
A Christian Wake will be held from 6 PM - 8 PM with Prayer and Praise beginning at 6 PM and ending at 7 PM.
A Reflections of Life service will begin at 7 PM.
Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, April 11th at 11 AM at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church.
There will be Military Honors and a Masonic Rites burial at the cemetery.
Services of Comfort entrusted to: C. W. Edwards Funeral Home, Inc., Bowling Green, Virginia
A. Stevie Adams, Funeral Service Provider
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