Minnie Mae Garner

Minnie Mae Garner was born April 17, 1929 in Bethel, NC. to the late Arthur Taylor and Mary Ann Carney. She was the second of five children of her parents. Minnie peacefully went to heaven when the angels came and took her home at 93 years of age on September,11, 2022. She was educated in Alexandria public school system at Parker Gray Middle.

Minnie had a witty sense of humor and would put a smile on your face with her expressions throughout conversations. She was compassionate, kind hearted, a good listener, and had giving soul. 

Minnie had a long successful career as a home healthcare provider taking care of seniors and as a waitress. She also was a foster mother to little girls. Minnie also had a gift working with her hands. This is where she became a seamstress. During her seamstress journey, she was an employee of Drapery Designs Etcetera Inc and worked many years as private seamstress.  She worked as a seamstress until she could no longer lift the heavy material bolts. She truly had a gift for sewing working most of her life as a seamstress. She enjoyed making clothing for her family. You can still find her homemade curtains in her home today. She enjoyed taking sewing classes in the fabric stores.

Sewing was her pleasure and talent. She could buy one bolt of materials, and one pattern to make five different dresses for her daughters. As she got older, she continued sewing by hand making blankets for her grandchildren, great great grandchildren. 

She shared her talents with others by telling them how to do it so they learned for themselves.

Minnie had an open door policy, where you could come in and catch up on the neighborhood and family gossip while eating and drinking. While sitting in her favorite chair sipping her drink. She loved to look out the door waiting for people to walk through.  In that same favorite chair, she also enjoyed watching Judge Judy. Minnie enjoyed traveling, dancing, and a good game of bingo with her sister. One thing we all can agree on, is that Minnie really enjoyed being around her loved ones on special holidays like her Birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day and the family and friend’s cookouts. During special occasions she had a good mouthwatering appetite for anything that was on the table. 

Minnie leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Patrina Rooney of Clinton MD, Holly Garner of North East MD, Valerie (Donny) Williams, of Gambrills, MD, and Jalonza Wesley of Alexandria; sons, Norvel (Lorraine) Oliver of Alexandria, James (Blanche) Oliver Sr. of Bunker Hill WV  and Lee Allen Garner Jr of Alexandria.  She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, great great great grandchildren and great great great great grandchildren; nieces, nephews her sister, Geneva Matthews of Alexandria and her brother, Arthur Taylor, Jr. of MD. 

In addition to her parents, Minnie is preceded in death by her husband, Lee Allen Garner; children, Bernard Taylor, Mary Francis Oliver, Barbara Ann Oliver, Evyonne Oliver, Vanessa Ann Garner; and brothers, Jessie Taylor and James “Peter Gun” Taylor.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Everly Wheatley Funeral Home in Alexandria from 11am to 12pm with service following at 12 pm with Pastor Anthony T. Oliver officiating. Interment will be private.

Before she gained her angelic wings, she accepted Christ as her personal savior. Minnie will always have a special place in our heart and we will love and cherish all her memories forever. She will always watch over us and be our shinning light until we meet again in paradise. 

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