Mary Murphey Garrison

Mary Murphey Rogers Garrison, 73, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 5th, 2026, at her home in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Born on April 22nd, 1952, in Augusta, Georgia, to Levy and Ruth Rogers. She graduated from Emory University in 1974 with a degree in Psychology. Mary's life was defined by a selfless commitment to those around her.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Bill Garrison. She was the proud and loving mother of Patrick Garrison (Keri), and Anne Garrison Capp (Jonathan), and the adoring grandmother of Will and Luke Garrison and Hazel and Emory Capp. She also leaves behind her siblings, Levy Rogers, and Catherine Rogers, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

The daughter of a Methodist minister, Mary moved every 3-4 years in her childhood. When she moved to Flat Rock in 1976, she declared, "I am never going to move again." Mary spent the next five decades putting down roots. Mary became a devoted fixture of the Henderson County community, most notably through her work at The Historic Johnson Farm. In 1991 Mary was recognized by Henderson County as the first chairman of both the Johnson Farm Festival and the Farm Advisory Committee. Her leadership earned her the Henderson County Education Foundation's President's Award (2003) and the Community Foundation Award (2013). Upon receiving the latter, she was described as "a superstar on the community stage, but always with a backstage entrance and exit."

A lifelong advocate for culture and creativity, Mary was a proud supporter of all the arts. This passion extended to her own work as a writer. A chance meeting with a fellow preschool parent, the editor of the Times-News, led to Mary writing a monthly column for 35 years, sharing stories of family, local history, and community life. In 2003, she was awarded first place by the National Federation of Press Women for her book, Slaves Who Dared, the Stories of 10 African American Heroes.

Mary's crowning achievement in life was being a mother, grandmother, aunt, and great-aunt. Her loving and nurturing nature were visible even when she was a child and grew even more as she became a parent and grandparent. She was fiercely proud of her children and her grandchildren. Mary's legacy is simple: give without expectation and treat everyone with kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Historic Johnson Farm, The Flat Rock Playhouse, The Henderson County Community Foundation or the Scholarship fund at Camp Tekoa.

There will be a celebration of her life on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 2:00 pm at The Historic Johnson Farm.