The Mississippi Link
FARMHAVEN, Miss. – Ernest Eugene aka “Slim” walked softly, but both his statue and voice epitomized a ‘tower of strength’ – a ‘tower of strength’ that his family as well as his colleagues, employees and friends admired.
Today, his family, friends and the employees of Garrett Enterprises and The Mississippi Link mourn the loss of this ‘gentle giant.’ Yet, the memories of what he stood for as a hard-working man, with a quiet spirit will linger with them forever.
Garrett, who was also known as “Junior” Garrett was the first born to W.E. and Zenova Garrett on February 26, 1939 in Farmhaven, Miss. He was peacefully called to rest before dawn on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009 at Madison General Hospital in Canton, Miss. His parents and youngest sibling, Harold, preceded him in death. He married Geraldine Griffin in 1972.
“What I will remember most fondly about him is his gentleness and simplicity,” said Chief Operations Officer Adekunle A. Adekunbi of Garrett Enterprises, Inc. “I have known him for three years.”
The word, ‘simplicity,’ certainly appears to be befitting of Garrett, for most people would say that he did not believe in putting on airs or ‘beating around the bush,’ so to speak.
Gail M. Brown, editor of The Mississippi Link, said when she first met Garrett, she readily identified with his ‘country boy’ spirit. “I’m a country girl,” she said. “Whenever Slim was around, I felt comfortable being from the country. He was just a down-to-earth person.
“What impressed me most about my brother, besides his good looks, was his honesty,” said Minnie Garrett. “He was not a hypocrite.”
His neice Ife’ Fitzgerald said by the time all his nieces and nephews were 12 years old, they had to go through sort of a rites of passage by him. “He was the first person to teach me how to shoot a gun,” she said.
The Mississippi Link publisher Jackie Hampton said, “Nothing seemed to bother Ernest. He had a great sense of humor.” She said he had a way of brightening one’s day.
Garrett graduated from Farm-haven High School and attended Tuskegee Institute. His major was to be automotive mechanics.
He served two tours of duty in the U.S. Air Force where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. He was employed at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Manufactures in St. Louis, Mo.
When Socrates Garrett created Garrett Construction Company, he chose brothers Ernest and Harold as his advisors. Ernest was mentor to all three of his brothers who trusted his sage advice.
Ernest worked with his dad in the pulpwood and sawmill industry and was known to be one of the best truck drivers in this community. He taught many young men how to drive trucks and operate heavy duty equipment.
They would often just listen to how sweetly he engaged his truck gears and wanted to emulate him. He drove over-the-road 18 wheelers before owning his own fleet of dump and log trucks.
Ernest survived many dangerous accidents that could have ended tragically. A bridge collapsed under a loaded dump truck that he was driving across a deep canyon. When the dust settled, he climbed out of the canyon to the delight of his brother Harold and others who witnessed the fall. On another occasion, some saw his car leave the road, soar through the air and land right side up.
Ernest was a member of Mason Lodge #TRYEE 129 of Canton, Miss.
Loved ones left to cherish his memory include a devoted wife of 37 years, Geraldine; five children, LaKecia Garrett (Ahmad Wilder), Shanton Wilson (Maurice) of Jackson, MS, Robert Beverly of Louisville, KY, Cheryl Smith (Rocky) of Ofahoma, MS, and Leslie Herrod of Jackson, MS; four sisters and two brothers, Ethel Hawthorne of Sacramento, CA; Coleman W. (Charlzetta) Garrett of Memphis, Minnie Garrett of Madison, MS, L. Socrates Garrett (Carol) of Jackson, MS, Oleta Garrett Fitzgerald of Madison, MS and Ayesha Mustafaa (Janola) of Chicago. Other family members include Uncle Robert Garrett of Chicago, Aunts Minnie Williams of St. Louis, Ozie Wattleton of Farmhaven, MS, Ola Crockett of Laurel, MS, Evie Dennis of Denver, CO; father-in-law Foster Griffin of Camden, MS; twelve grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, many other relatives and friends.
Ernest was a people person. Those who really knew him, really loved him.
Socrates Garrett delivered his brother’s eulogy. “I’m the only one who knows him well enough to do justice to this great human being,” he told family members earlier.
Services were held on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. at the New Truelight Family Life Activity Center in Farmhaven, Miss.
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