Thelma Jackie Mcilwain Garner

Thelma “Jackie” McIlwain Garner, 77, of Jonesboro, died Saturday at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. Born in Cleveland, Mississippi to Andrew Jackson & Myrtle Mann McIlwain, she had lived in Jonesboro since 1961. She married William L. Garner November 6, 1954. Mrs. Garner was a very active woman. She was a graduate of the Baptist School of Nursing in Memphis and worked as a Registered Nurse with her husband in his medical practice. She had also served as a public health nurse in Memphis and was a member of the St. Bernards Medical Center Auxiliary. Her many activities included Red Hat Society, Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the War of 1812, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Daughters of Indian Wars. Mrs. Garner loved to garden and was an avid sports fan, especially an Ole Miss fan. She was a member of many groups and had a number of interests, but she dearly loved being a grandmother. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

She is survived by her children, Jackie “Sweet Pea” & Tony Pardew, of Jonesboro, William L. & Landi Garner, Jr., South Plainfield, New Jersey, Dr. Matt & Susan Garner, Jonesboro; grandchildren, Garner Ashley & Anthony Ditta, Heather Nicole Pardew, Whitney Leigh Pardew, Guy Anthony Pardew, Jr., Jennifer Lauren Garner, Jordan Anise Garner, William David Garner, Barry Matthew Garner, Jr., Mary Katharine Garner; and her great grandchildren, Anthony Joseph Ditta, Jr. and Audrey Garner Ditta; brothers and sisters, Andrew Jackson “Mac” McIlwain, Coyette Blaine “Jackie” McIlwain, Lilly Bell Green, Beatrice Crocker, Salley Roberts, and Judy Steed.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Dr. William L. Garner, and her parents, Andrew Jackson & Myrtle Mann McIlwain.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Jack Vu and Dr. Vic Stepka officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Active pallbearers will be Guy Anthony Pardew, Jr.,William David Garner, Barry Matthew Garner, Jr., Anthony Joseph Ditta, Ryan Owl Dwyer, and Ethan Leonard.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Scott Kapulsky, Dr. Don Guinn, H.R Garner, and James W. Jackson.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m.

For lasting memorials, the family requests that consideration be given to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73123 or Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, 1138 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.