Jessie May Garrison

Jessie May Garrison, 94, was born Sept. 21, 1915, in Hot Springs, AR, to Jesse and Ethel (Garrison) Wisner. She passed away Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 at Cedar County Memorial Hospital, El Dorado Springs.

Jessie was seven when her mother passed away and her father and two brothers, Roy and Floyd, moved back to Missouri, where she resided her entire life.

She married Mahlon Garrison Dec. 22, 1934, and lived in the Bear Creek area until she could no longer live by herself. To this union five children were born, four sons and one daughter. Jessie was baptized and loved the Lord and believed in the teachings of the Bible. She raised her family on a farmer’s income and went to work after they all had graduated from high school.

Jessie worked a period of time at National Bellas Hess then decided to be a nurses aide at Waite’s Rest Home, Truman Lake Manor Rest Home and Sac Osage Hospital before retiring and then working for West Central and with senior citizens. In her later years she would take the OATS Bus to various shopping areas.

She enjoyed her family and being around friends. Her hobbies included reading the Bible, sewing, quilting and helping others as long as she was able. The last year and three months was spent in Community Springs Healthcare Facility in El Dorado Springs.

Jessie was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Mahlon Vanice; one son, Mahlon William; her parents; two brothers, Floyd and Roy; and one great-great-granddaughter, Jennifer Ann Smith, who died at birth.

She is survived by three sons - Dale, and wife, Pat - Belton, Ed, and wife, Betty Lou - Osceola, Dennis, and wife, Maggie –
Gladstone; and one daughter, Joyce Bacon, and husband, Jim - Harwood; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; along with many, many relatives and friends. She is also survived by three step-grandchildren - Diane Merryman - Springfield, Russell Bacon - El Dorado Springs and Kristi Atkins – Warrensburg; five step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great grandchildren.

Services were held Saturday, Feb. 20, in the Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel with Rev. Phil Fennell and Rev. Carl Whitacre officiating. Music was How Great Thou Art and In The Garden by the Bear Creek Blue Grass Gospel Band. Casketbearers were her grandchildren.

Interment was in Bear Creek Cemetery under the direction of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola.

The family suggests contributions to the Bear Creek Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.