STILLMAN VALLEY – Shirley A. Garrett, 82, of Stillman Valley passed away Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. She was born Feb. 6, 1939 in Maynard, Ark., the daughter of Leo and Gladys (Williams) Spray.
She met her husband, George Garrett when his family moved in next door to her family. She loved to tell the story about all of the neighborhood girls eyeing him up as a great catch, so she set out to get his attention and succeeded in doing just that. They were married July 13, 1955 and shared almost 64 years together before his death in May of 2019. Shirley worked for GTE Automatic Electric in Genoa for 23 ½ years before her retirement in 1993. An active member of the Davis Junction community for over 40 years, she was proud of the time she served as a trustee on the Village Board.
She and George spent their golden years traveling all over the U.S. in their motor home. She was an avid reader who enjoyed many types of books as well as doing crossword and Sudoku puzzles. A gifted cook, no one could ever get enough of her hush puppies at the many fish fry/birthday celebrations or her amazing corn bread stuffing at Thanksgiving. The epitome of a green thumb, she had a gorgeous flower garden and the uncanny ability to make plants bloom that others had given up on.
Shirley is survived by her brother Jack (Shirley) Spray and her children, Hazel (Greg) Hayton, Bob (Diane) Garrett, Gerald Garrett, Paul (Pat Brenz) Garrett, 9 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, husband, George, Sister, Carolyn (Ernest) Vanderver, and grandson Jacob Garrett.
Memorials may be made to the family. Cremation rights have been accorded with a Celebration of Life at a later date. Funeral Arrangements entrusted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 South Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL, 61108.
