Mary Colleen Garner Jarrell

Mary Colleen Garner Jarrell passed from this life on March 6, 2015 at the age of 87. The daughter of Verner Allen Garner and Jane Wright Garner, Mary grew up in Viola. She graduated as the Valedictorian of McMinnville Central High School in 1946, and from George Peabody College in 1950, with a degree in math and science. In 1954, Mary married Phillip Wayne Jarrell, and they settled in Morrison to raise their family. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Janie Jarrell Smart and Wayne of Overland Park, KS, Phyllis Jarrell of Plano, TX and Kate Jarrell Novitsky and Ed Hesson of Gallatin, TN; three granddaughters, Kelly Dyan Krempa, Shauna Carroll and Brittney Smart all of Kansas City, MO; two grandsons, Erik Smart of Missouri and Colin Hesson of Gallatin, TN; great-grandson, Clayton Carroll of Missouri; sister-in-law, Mozelle Spain of Nashville, TN; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, William Euclid and Mary Mansfield Garner; maternal grandparents, Benjamin Franklin and Sara Wright; and son-in-law, Brian Smith. Mary had a long career as a teacher in the Warren County School system, teaching algebra, geometry, physics and chemistry, and impacting the lives of thousands of students. After retirement, she volunteered her time to various community causes, including the Morrison Public Library and the Black House. She served as an alderman for the town of Morrison. She continued to tutor students in math until her final illness. She loved her family and friends, and was a member of the Viola Girls Lunch Club. She enjoyed live music, good conversation, gardening and dessert. The family would like to thank the ICU nurses and other staff at River Park Hospital for their devoted and compassionate care. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2015 in High's Parlor with Kevin Deason officiating. Burial will follow in Shady Grove Cemetery, Coffee County, TN. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday and from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at High's. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Morrison Public Library, Animal Rescue, or the charity of your choice.