Evelyn Marie Francis Garrison

GARRISON Mrs. Evelyn Marie Francis Garrison was born December 13, 1944 to Mr. Arthur Francis and Mrs. Amanda Parker Francis Bowers in New Orleans, Louisiana. On December 11, 1966, she married Mr. Sidney Charles Garrison, Jr. That union produced two children, Mr. Craig Charles Garrison and Mrs. Christy Caroline Garrison-Harrison. Mrs. Garrison graduated from McDonogh #35 Senior High School. She earned a B.A. from Dillard University. Mrs. Garrison continued her education by earning a Certificate of Education at the University of California and an M. A. +30, in Special Education, with an emphasis on gifted, from the University of New Orleans. While teaching at Andrew J. Bell Junior High School, she was honored as Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Garrison created an Afro-Centric curriculum for her special education students. She retired after 32 years of service with the New Orleans Public School System. Mrs. Garrison was a lifelong member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church. She served many organizations from the Young Adult Ministry to co-founding and pioneering Mount Zion's first "Feed the Homeless and Hungry" committee. She was instrumental in organizing the annual White Linen Concert Series prior to Hurricane Katrina. Mrs. Garrison served on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, the Church Anniversary Committee, and the Hartzell Circle. Mrs. Garrison had an interest in politics dating back to college. While at DU, she was a member of Students For Integration along with several friends and her then-fiance, Sidney Garrison. She attended SNCC meetings, protest meetings, demonstrated and participated in picketing area businesses with discriminatory policies. Mrs. Garrison is survived by a host of family members and friends.