Mary Lee Garren

Mary Lee Yates Garren, 93, a resident of Benton, died Sunday afternoon in a Cleveland healthcare facility. She was a member of Benton Station Baptist Church. She was salutatorian of the 1933 Polk County High school graduating class.

Mrs. Garren was the daughter of the late Dennis and Florida Moore Yates. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters: John Yates, Frances Yates, Lottie Haddock, Samuel Yates, Thomas J. Yates, William Boyd Yates and Mae Womac; half sister, Easter Higdon; two sons-in-law, Winfred Harbison and Julian Hamby.

She is survived by three daughters and one son: Johnnie Helen Harvey and husband, Thomas of Charleston, SC, JoAnn Finnell and husband, Basil of Cleveland, Billie Hamby of Benton, James LeRon Garren and wife, Crickett of Dunlap; 10 grandchildren: Sandra Harvey Pennekamp and husband, Tim, Ellyn Harvey Winkles and husband, Dan, all of Charleston, SC, Cynthia Harbison Johnstone and husband, Pat of Nashville, Karen Harbison Taylor and husband, Sid of Knoxville, Joseph W. Harbison and wife, Shelia, of Cleveland, Jaye Hamby and wife, Patricia of Nashville, Garren Hamby and wife, Angela, of Crimora, VA, Deidre Garren Blue and husband, Lydell of Chattanooga, Sarah Katherine Garren of Knoxville, Linda Daugherty of Cleveland; 15 great grandchildren: Tap and Alex Pennekamp and Josh and Claire Winkles all of Charleston, SC, Jennifer Hammonds and husband, Chuck of Cleveland, Amanda Cox of Ocoee, Cynthia Taylor, Betsy Taylor, Tascha Harbison and Meghan Harbison all of Chattanooga, Garren Thomas Hamby of Nashville, Hunter Cole Hamby, Caleb Peyton Hamby and Kiersten Rose Hamby, all of Crimora, VA and Stephanie Daugherty of Knoxville; 2 great great grandchildren, Charlie Hammonds and Shelby Hammonds of Cleveland; three sisters and one sister-in-law, Geneva Leamon of Cleveland, Mildred Dunn and Vena Hester and husband, Ralph all of Athens, Theo Yates of Benton; special friends and relatives and multiple generations of nieces and nephews.

The family of Mary Lee Yates Garren will receive friends at Higgins Funeral Home in Benton on Wednesday evening from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. followed by a service to celebrate her life. The celebration service will be officiated by the Reverend Joel Jenkins, Jaye Hamby and Chuck Hammonds with other family members providing music and tributes.
Interment will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday in the Benton Station Baptist Church Cemetery with family members and friends serving as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to the Cemetery Fund, Benton Station Baptist Church, P.O. Box 488, Benton, TN 37307.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Garren family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.