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Walter Mace Garner

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Birth	:	6 Jul 1926 Union County, South Carolina, USA
Death	:	14 Oct 2014 Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Mount Joy Baptist Church Cemetery, Kelton, Union County, USA
Coordinate	:	34.8342310, -81.5804740
Description	:	Walter Mace Garner Union, SC Mr. Walter Mace Garner, age 88, of 1746 Brown's Creek Church Rd., Union, widower of Katie Palmer Garner, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Garner was born in Union, July 6, 1926, a son of the late Mace Vernon "Stew" Garner and Eloise Gregory Garner. Mr. Garner loved his farm, which has been in his family for over 100 years. He was a full time farmer and loved to work with the earth growing cotton, soybeans and vegetables. Walter... Read More	Walter Mace Garner Union, SC Mr. Walter Mace Garner, age 88, of 1746 Brown's Creek Church Rd., Union, widower of Katie Palmer Garner, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Garner was born in Union, July 6, 1926, a son of the late Mace Vernon "Stew" Garner and Eloise Gregory Garner. Mr. Garner loved his farm, which has been in his family for over 100 years. He was a full time farmer and loved to work with the earth growing cotton, soybeans and vegetables. Walter and his father, Stew, were known throughout the region for their good vinegar based barbecue. He followed the tradition of his father of "whole hog barbecue" and continued that tradition to the present day as he was able to participate in his last barbecue sale on July 4th of this year. He and his father prepared hash for Mt. Joy Baptist Church, where he was a member, and for many other area churches and organization for a host of special occasions and fundraisers. Walter was a great storyteller, remembering wonderful stories from the Pea Ridge area of Union County and the colorful characters he had known over the years. He knew a lot of history of this area. He loved his family and was a faithful son taking care of his parents during the last years of their lives. He lovingly cared for his wife, Katie, during nine years of her declining health. He loved his four children and seven grandchildren. The highlight of his life was to be with his large extended family. Walter is survived by his children, Brenda Latham and husband Jack of Greenwood, Kent Garner and wife Doris, Jennie Lemons and husband Steve, and Shirley Harris and husband P.D all of Union; and seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and his faithful dog, Sally and cat, Baby. A celebration of life service will be held 11:00 AM Friday, October 17, 2014 at the family home located at 1746 Brown's Creek Church Rd., conducted by Rev. Alan West and Rev. Steve Lemons. Burial will follow at Mt. Joy Baptist Church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be David, Kevin and Corey Garner, Andrew Peace, Jeff and Jonathan Meredith, Karl Mobley and Keith Price. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Holmes, Phillip Spencer, Dwight Belue, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Bogan, Caleb Garner, Chase Heatherly, Gene Horne, Natalie Garner, Mogan Peace and Carley Garner. The family will receive friends Thursday evening also at the family home. A Eulogy for Walter Garner By Stephen Lemons (Walter's Son-in-Law). October 17, 2014 Good morning! Thank you to everyone who is here today to pay tribute to my Father-in-law Walter Garner. Your attendance today is encouraging to all of us. When I was asked to speak at this funeral, I asked if it was okay if I participated today, not as a minister but as a family member offering a Eulogy. Walter Mace Garner was born on July 6, 1926 in this farmhouse. His father Stew was born in the same house 109 years ago. He had the benefit of being born into a warm loving home with two loving parents – Stew and Eloise Garner. Walter was born into a large close extended family. He had the privilege of growing up with many uncles and aunts and lots of cousins. Walter was an only child. But I am not sure it was completely clear to him that he was an only child because his parents raised two other children, Everett and Nannie Nola Garner. Everett and Nannie Nola were just a few years older than Walter and they grew up like siblings. No one could have asked to have for two more loving parents than Stew and Eloise Garner. They were wonderful parents and beautiful people. Stew like Walter was a storyteller. I can imagine what a wonderful home this must have been for Walter growing up here. It had to have been such a rich experience. And Walter grew up in a family that enjoyed life! Stew and Eloise loved to have who have fun. I remember not long after meeting him, he played hambone on his knee. His parents were not people who walked around with long faces. He spent his entire lifetime here on this land where he was a full time farmer. Tilling the soil, growing cotton, corn and lots of soybean. He loved the earth. He saw it as God's gift to us. In fact that was one of the many lessons that Walter taught me. I remember one day being at the table for Sunday Dinner. A tradition that has been in that kitchen for well over a hundred years. And I was probably not the first one to talk about the church service at lunch. I made the mistake, actually it wasn't a mistake, because it turned out to be a gift for me that I have never forgotten. I had been to a fifth Sunday service at Mt. Joy and Brice Blakney, the local Methodist pastor was in charge of the service. And that day happened to be Soil and Water Conservation Sunday. And Pastor Blakney presented a slide show and talked about water and how important it is. … Let me just say, I was a lot more narrow minded in this period of my life and I made the comment at the table following the service, "I wanted to hear a real sermon - it was a complete waste of my time." And Walter looked at me, he didn't raise his voice but he said pointedly, water is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us – and he talked about how if we don't take care of this gift, we will not make it… Walter was an environmentalist, a conservationist – not because of a college classroom but because he worked these fields, depended on water, understood that the earth is God's gift to us. Walter understood something about being a good steward of the earth that I did not understand. There were many other lessons that he taught me. One day we were sitting in his den and the radio was on and a local preacher was waxing on and on about how sorry Gay people are and how they are an abomination to God. And Walter looked at me and he said, "You know, there are folks who just want to throw away those people – don't think they have any worth at all – that's not right. That was another lesson I learned. Where did that kind of caring spirit come from? I have always said that Walter's father, Mace Vernon, was one of the finest men that I have ever known. And that is true. But I can also say the same thing about Walter. Walter Garner was one of the finest men that I have ever known. He was a humble man, a kind, gentle man. He respected all of God's creation. I don't believe he ever hurt another human being. I never saw him talk down to another person. He respected all people. And he was colorblind. He didn't see people by their culture, social status or race. He loved all people. Walter lived a life of simplicity. He did not care about accumulating stuff. He didn't have a lot of toys. He loved the simple things of life like fresh vegetables from his garden, fish caught in a pond or river, eggs, sausage and grits cooked on his stove, and Family and friends around his table. And over the years, there have been many friends, and some new friends who ate around this table. Walter loved cooking barbecue and hash: Whole hog barbecue. "Whole hog or none," he and Stew always said. And he was good at it. And it was the best around. The crowds of people who camped out here waiting on it were a testimony to how good it was. It was hard work but good work. It wasn't a chore but a social event – a gathering of family and friends. During the last few days while Walter was in the hospital and now after his death - Listening to people speak about how Walter impacted their lives and the deep personal connection that people felt with him has been an overwhelming emotional experience. Walter had a lot of friends. The old saying goes, "To have a friend, be a friend" and Walter made a lot of friends. He initiated friendship with a lot of people. Forty years ago, I became a part of this family when I married Walter's daughter Jennie. So I think I know him pretty well. I have been in this family a long time. And I still remember the first time I met him and the whole family. Jennie told me one night that the family wanted to meet me. We had been dating a while. And they all came in to the living room – Stew, Eloise and Walter and Katie. I will never forget that night. I felt welcomed by this family. And was still welcomed by the family 41 years later. The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote these words, "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it" (13:1-2 NRSV). If anyone ever had the gift of hospitality it was Walter, Katie and their entire family. He has left a great model for us to follow. He has entertained many angels in his lifetime unaware. He was a model for all of us, modeling for us how to offer hospitality. And there were many acts of kindness that he did – acts of kindness and hospitality that we will never know about. He did these quietly. He indeed lived out the words of Hebrews 13, "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." "So, Walter. You are the very best man I know. You brought all of us here joy every day. Except, that is, for today. We miss you, we love you and we are devastated. But even in the midst of this terrible grief, we are so grateful for the wonderful legacy you – and Katie– have created. We thank you for this wonderful family; we thank you for these fantastic friends; and we thank you for these fabulous memories. And, as you rest in that well-deserved peace, you should know this: your goodness, your decency, your love live on in your amazing children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. But more than that, you live on forever in the hearts of all those blessed enough to have known you - Walter Mace Garner. What a man. What a life. I will miss you Walter – everyday of my life.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Walter Mace Garner's memorial?
Walter Mace Garner's memorial is located at: Mount Joy Baptist Church Cemetery, Kelton, Union County, USA.
When did Walter Mace Garner death?
Walter Mace Garner death on 14 Oct 2014 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Walter Mace Garner's memorial?
Latitude: 34.8342310
Longitude: -81.5804740

Family Members:

Parent

Mace Vernon “Stew” Garner

(1905 - 1998)

Eloise Gregory Garner

(1906 - 1988)

Spouse

Katie Lee Palmer Garner

(1924 - 2010)

Children

Paul Kent Garner

(1949 - 2021)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Mount Joy Baptist Church Cemetery
Kelton, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8342310, -81.5804740

2. Bethany AME Church Cemetery
Jonesville, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8330850, -81.5851980

3. Porter Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8302994, -81.5856018

4. Foster Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Jonesville, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8266983, -81.5849991

5. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8346180, -81.5670930

6. Ebenezer A.M.E. Church Cemetery
Jonesville, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8267300, -81.5671600

7. Going Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8457985, -81.5655975

8. Kelly Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8367004, -81.6044006

9. Hames-Gault Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8492012, -81.5963974

10. McKissick Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8492012, -81.5516968

11. Flat Rock Cemetery
Kelton, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8614006, -81.5947037

12. Haney Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8018990, -81.5783005

13. Smith Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8661003, -81.5892029

14. Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery
Union, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8050003, -81.6003036

15. Gallman Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8018990, -81.6006012

16. Askew Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8638992, -81.6066971

17. Mark Hill Baptist Church Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8329760, -81.6261160

18. Free Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.7975006, -81.5681000

19. Johnson Family
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8494500, -81.6241670

20. Garner Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8574982, -81.5350037

21. Foster-Woolbright Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8403015, -81.5222015

22. Fawcett Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.7839012, -81.5832977

23. Spears Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8708000, -81.5381012

24. Skull Shoals Baptist Church Cemetery
Gaffney, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 34.8789780, -81.5297340