Mother Donna Okella Garard

Mother Donna Garard Obituary
Mother Donna Okella Garard, affectionately known as Mama Doll, was born June 18, 1929, in Aiken, South Carolina, to the late Reddick, Sr. and Addie Bell Hartley. She attended public school in Aiken, South Carolina. Following an extended illness, she peacefully answered the call of the Lord on January 16, 2024.
Mother Garard always found pleasure in serving her church family. She loved the Lord and trusted Him in every way. She held prior membership with the Mighty Church of the Redeemed, Pastor Emmanuel Washington, Jr. On March 20, 2003, she united with the Emmanuel Church Of God in Christ of Jacksonville, where Elder Gabriel Hall is the Pastor. Mother was a part of the founding members that formed the new ministry. She served faithfully, until her health began to fail, with the Mother's Board, Sunday School Class #1, District #3, Deacon Rheuben Smith, Leader, and sang with the former Mother's Board Choir.
Mother Garard possessed a very sweet and gentle spirit. She will also be remembered for sitting in the second row, second chair wearing her beautiful suits and hats. Mother's smile and sense of humor always warmed the heart. She will always be remembered for her signature songs - Oh Happy Day, Come On In My Room and Get Right With God. She loved her family and always stayed connected to them by calling them to say "you haven't called your grandma!"
Mother Garard was preceded in death by her parents, Reddick and Addie Hartley; her siblings, Oscar Hartley, Reddick Hartley, Jr., and Mary Thomas: her children, Alvoid Hartley, Emma Jean Trip and David "Bootie" Graham; and grandchild, Tracy Vickers.
To celebrate and cherish her legacy, Mother Garard leaves her children, Veleriar Wilson, and Schella Cox; her grandchildren, Reddrick Wilson, Tina Wilson, Curlisa Wilson-Thomas, Alvoid "Sweeky" Hartley, Jr., LaTonya Hartley, Stacy King, Danyell Hartley-Parker, James Oliver, Myschelle Muff, and Scheltoria Muff; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and dear friends.
The family would like to thank her dear friends Sharon Ray, Deborah Watkins, Margaret Danielson, Zoe Pruitt along with the Emmanuel Church of God in Christ of Jacksonville Mother's Board and Dolphin Pointe Health Care for their support, love and care during this difficult time.
Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the Family.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Mother Donna Okella Garard, please visit our floral store.