Leona Garrison

Leona. Mom. Grammy. Grandma.
These different names all describe the same wonderful person.
Ida Leona Garrison born August 11, 1929 in eastern Oklahoma, started her life with her parents Allie and Sarah Lay. She used to say "I was raised by the hair of my head." Growing up in the Depression made for some hard times. She helped raise her younger brother and sisters. Leona's older brothers hunted and fished which provided much needed food for their family. During World War II, her brother, June, was killed in action while stationed in Burma. This was devastating to her family, but they were able to move forward.
Leona met Sam Garrison at a church service at New Home School. Grandpa Garrison, Sam's father, was preaching that day. They began dating even though Sam thought Leona may be too young. After a while, they realized their love for each other. Sam and Leona Garrison were married on April 22, 1947 and started a family. Together they had 4 children: Stephen Lee, Marilyn Faye, Bradley Edward, and Vance Eric. She raised her kids to be loving to God, to nature, and to help others. She also taught them to forgive, to repent when they strayed, and to always try to put their best foot forward. Leona was like a kid herself while raising her children. She would play all day, and when Sam was due home from work she would have the kids hurry to help her clean the house so she wouldn't get in trouble.
After getting her children raised, Sam and Leona grew apart, like so many people do, which ultimately ended in divorce. This gave Leona a chance to to spend time with her daughter, Marilyn, and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren in Nebraska. They had a good time and made many memories together. Marilyn did a good job helping her.
Leona always had a desire to be back in Oklahoma where she grew up. She was able to move home and enjoy a few healthy years in Collinsville with the help of her sons Brad and Vance. She enjoyed tending to her plants, feeding the birds, going to church, and browsing at Walmart (mainly in the cosmetics aisle). She also greatly enjoyed music and this song was one of her favorites.
Speaking of crazy, Leona has some crazy sayings. A few of these were:
-I'm gonna send you to your room.
-Don't break my plate.
-Don't you pick on her.
-Sakens and a mercies.
-Goodness and a gracious.
-Get the hell out of dodge
-And instead of the Dixie Chicks, she would call them the Chixie Dicks.
She always kept us on our toes. If she ever started a sentence with, "Well, you'll just have to excuse me" you never knew what she was going to say after that.
Lastly, and most importantly, Leona was a devoted follower of Christ. She was a long-time member of the Church of Christ. She was a great example of a Godly woman, relying on him in good times and in bad times. Leona brought as many people as she could to Christ and was a great witness. As much as her passing is sad for us on Earth, we can remain joyful in knowing she is now with our Heavenly Father and reunited with her loved ones in heaven.
No visitation.