Reverend Sandra Garner

1941 - 2018

Reverend Sandra Peck Garner, a devoted Methodist Pastor and beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, peacefully entered her rest in heaven at the age of 76 on March 21, 2018 in Homosassa, Florida. Sandra is survived by her daughter Dawn (Garner) Hummer; son-in-law Robert A. Hummer; granddaughters Holly S. Hummer and Chelsea L. Hummer; brother Vincent M. Peck; and sisters Judith R. Peck and Sarajane P. Peck. She is preceded in death by husband John Patterson Garner, Jr., parents Sarah Harper (Williams) Peck and Raymond Keep Peck, brother Willard S. Peck, and maternal/paternal grandparents, all of whom she adored.
Sandra was born in Washington, DC, where her father worked as an aeronautic engineer at the Pentagon, in Washington D.C. She later moved with her parents to Huntsville, AL. Upon graduating from Huntsville High School, Sandra moved to Atlanta, GA, where she met and married the love of her life, J.P. Garner, in 1963. Their daughter Dawn was born in 1964. Upon an early first retirement in 1971, Sandra, J.P., and daughter Dawn moved to Homosassa, FL where they built a home and a life together on the lovely Homosassa River.
After moving to Florida, Sandra immediately became a dedicated and active member of the Homosassa United Methodist Church in Old Homosassa and subsequently the new First United Methodist Church of Homosassa. Among other roles over the years, she served as a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, children's choir director, UMYF director and assistant pastor. She remained a loyal member of the First United Methodist Church of Homosassa until her last day.
During the 1970s-90s, Sandra also became a successful local businesswoman. Most notably, she developed, owned and operated a local trophy and engraving business, Gulf Trophies, for over a decade. She also developed and operated two gift shops in Homosassa, which displayed her talents for art, fashion and decorating. Across these years, Sandra also became a caretaker of dozens of indigenous, exotic and injured animals, in conjunction with her husband J.P.'s management of the Homosassa Nature World Attraction. At one time or another, Sandra raised tigers, bears, monkeys, otters, foxes, flying squirrels, deer, raccoons and birds of many kind. As she did with people, Sandra displayed a love and care for animals that was truly special.
In the 1990s, Sandra began her post-secondary studies at Central Florida Community College. She continued on to the Candler School of Theology's Course of Study at Emory University, in Atlanta, GA. committing herself to becoming a minister in the United Methodist Church. After the death of her beloved J.P., in 2000, Sandra successfully completed her Five-Year Ministerial Course of Study. She then accepted the position of minister of 2 small Methodist churches in Quincy, FL. She moved to Quincy and dutifully fulfilled the role of minister for 8 years, ministering twice every Sunday as a female "circuit-riding preacher".
Due to ill health, Sandra retired in 2011. She resumed her life back in Homosassa and again became very active and integrated into the First United Methodist Church of Homosassa. She continued to touch the lives of "the least, the lost and the last" within Citrus County, with activities ranging from home visitations, Bible study and outreach to the needy.
Sandra's devotion to Christ and His teachings were evident in every way of life and every breath she uttered, to everyone who knew her. She regularly visited nursing homes and women's prisons; she delivered Christmas and Thanksgiving food baskets; she hosted a Christian weekly radio show from her home for 2 years; she served as president of the local chapter of Women's Aglow; and she opened her home to people in need, providing counseling and mentoring to hundreds of people in need over the years. Moreover, for several years back in the 1980s, she proudly evangelized within other hosting churches and led her own tent ministry on the sides of highways.
At her core, Sandra exuded life, love and a joyful spirit, which she left as her legacy to all who knew her, interacted with her and loved her. Her southern charm, funny wit and unwillingness to never give up (but rather persevere) are lessons she shared with all of us throughout her life. Her love and devotion to her God, her church, her friends and family, and her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters, will abide with us all forever.
The family is sincerely grateful for expressions of love, support and sympathy. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to her medical doctors, caregivers, dialysis staff, friends and family who gave tirelessly of themselves over the last several years. Memorial gifts in Sandra's honor can be made for outreach programming to any of the following three churches: First United Methodist Church - Homosassa, FL: 8831 West Bradshaw Street, Homosassa, FL, 34448; Glenn Julia United Methodist Church - Quincy, FL: 2592 Mt. Pleasant Road, Quincy, FL, 32352; Sycamore United Methodist Church - Quincy, FL: 3246 Sycamore Road, Quincy, FL, 32351.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 23 from 6-8pm at Wilder Funeral Home - Homosassa, FL. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 24 at 1:00 at The First United Methodist Church - Homosassa, FL. Burial will follow on March 24th, at 4:00, at Fountains Memorial Park - Homosassa FL. www.wilderfuneral.com.