Deaconess and First Lady, Mildred V. Garrett was born May 9th 1928 to the late Penelope ( Jordan) Harris & Walter D. Harris in Edenton, North Carolina. Mildred was baptized at an early age under the leadership of the Rev. J.E. Tillett and became a member of the Warren Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She attended sunday school, sang in the choir, at the time there was a ministry called the Sun Shine bank and Mildred loved to travel with her mother to the conventions.
Mildred attended the John A. Homes high school where she loved sports. We would ask her what was she doing, she would say watching the Red Sox. Mildred and Rev. Percy L. Garrett, Jr. were sweethearts in high school and then married in 1948 while he was stationed at Kentucky State Army Base. They were beloveds for sixty-nine (69) years.
After moving to Massachusetts, Mildred joined Myrtle Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Louis Ford where she continued working in God’s Vineyard. It was at Myrtle Baptist Church where she was ordained as a deaconess by Rev. Robert Littlejohn. After serving at Myrtle Baptist Church under Rev. Percy L. Garrett, Jr. and others The New Jerusalem Baptist Church was born where Mildred became First Lady and remained until God called her home.
Mildred was an nurse’s aide in rehab and then transferred to O.T. as a Occupational Therapist Aide and worked for 30 years at the former Cushing Hospital in Framingham. She was known for providing excellent care for her patients but also took extra personal time engaging them in making craft items. She was a member of the Unique Socialite Club, the New Jerusalem Baptist Church choir and several bowling leagues. She enjoyed singing, cooking, crocheting, shopping and creating artistic home crafts for her family and friends,
Sometimes it seemed Mildred would go way down But God.
In addition to her husband Rev. Percy L. Garrett, Jr., she is survived by four children: William P. Garrett, of California and his wife Marlene McCurtis Garrett, Leveon C. (Garrett) Brown, of Medway, Ma, Kenneth C. Garrett, of California and Phyllis D. Iziokhai of Worcester, Ma. Brother and sisters, Ruby Welch, of Framingham, Ma, Fred Harris of Norfolk,Va, Mable Marshall of Jamaica Plain, Ma, Ruth Haywood of Framingham, Ma and husband Arnold Haywood, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Brothers proceeded in death: Rushon A. Harris, Norman A. Harris, Roy Harris and Willie A. Harris.
Mildred was loved by everybody and will be missed, in days gone, 81 walnut street was where the family and friends always gathered for picnics, dinners even weddings. She was surely a hard fighting soldier and fought a good fight, She has finished her course and is now resting from her labor.
“Well Done, Thou Good And Faithful Servant: Thou Hast Been Faithful Over A few Things, Enter Thou Into The Joy Of Thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21