Garnett Mamie Martin

On Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 8:31 p.m., the birds paused in their evening serenade to honor their friend and protector, Mamie Martin Garnett, as she transcended into heaven. She may now plant a beautiful flower garden in heaven, make sure our dad "Buster" is not smoking cigars or blowing his nose at the table and catch up with her sisters and her brother whom she has missed so much. She is also reunited with her mother and father, Lucy and Colonel who she loved so deeply. Mom led a beautiful and full life and her passing was gentle with great dignity. Our mother was born in Fluvanna County to Colonel Pleasant and Lucy Winston Martin. She was the youngest of seven children. Mom was predeceased by her husband, William "Buster" Garnett; her parents and her five sisters, Annie, Ethel, Lorraine, Velma and Gertrude; as well as her brother, Colonel "Pug".She met our dad, William, when he was selling rotten peaches. Mom had him up his game and he became a true entrepreneur with her help and persistence. We were given the childhood that is the "American Dream". Our mother had tea parties with us and was always at every school function. She made sure that we were all afforded the best education and a love of God. Her yeast rolls were legendary, she was our personal dictionary, on call psychiatrist, personal gardener, best babysitter ever, marriage counselor, cheerleader, reality checker and hand washer police.She leaves to keep her legend alive, three daughters, Gwen and her husband, Marvin, Tanya and her husband, Dan, and Dee and her friend, Ben; one son, Greg and his friend, Miranda; two stepsons, Frank and John; six grandsons, Marvin and his wife, Octavia, Scotty and his wife, Justine, J.T. and his wife, Krystal, Justin and his wife, Naaz, Matt, and Will; one granddaughter, Mia Grace; four great-grandsons, Quinton Shaquille, Gerald and Gavin; eight great-granddaughters, Brianna, Tianna, Dasha, Jadyn, Michaiah, Maryssa, Lily and Melia; two nieces, who were like daughters, Janice Gunnell and Gail Brown; four sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.We would like to thank the Lake Monticello Rescue Squad and the doctors, nurses and staff of the University of Virginia Emergency Department for the care they provided to mom. We would also like to thank Dr. Heald of the University of Virginia, who cared for our mom for many years and who our mom held in special regard.A celebration of mom's life will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 1 p.m.at Haden Chapel United Methodist Church, Route 53 and South Boston Road, Palmyra, Va. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 27, 2015,from 6 to 7 p.m. at Hill and Wood Funeral Home, 201 N. First Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.