Ms. Nettie Garrison, 87, of Woollum, passed away Wednesday morning, July 15, 2026 at her home. She was born June 26, 1939 in Manchester, the daughter of the late Letch and Laura Tankersley Smith.
Nettie was a former employee of Lawson Furniture Company, Warners and the Barbourville Nursing Home and a member of the Friendship Baptist Church. She enjoyed drawing in earlier years, gardening and tending flowers. She always made everyone feel at home and no one ever left hungry.
On June 17, 1956, she united in marriage with John David “J. D.” Garrison and to this union five children were born.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Cora Riley, Nannie Caldwell, Elizabeth Mills, Beachel, Otis and Fount Smith; two sons-in-law, Kenneth Gregory and Bill Lynch.
Survivors include her loving husband, J. D. Garrison of Woollum; children, Carol Caldwell and husband, Larry, of Elkhart, IN, Alma Gregory of Woollum, Judy Lynch of Richmond, Sheila Garland of Barbourville and David B. Garrison and wife, Shannon, of Cocoa Beach, FL; sisters, Alice Jordan of Gray and Roxie Mills of Woollum; 11 grandchildren, James Caldwell, Tina Caldwell-Derr, Stephanie Tye, Melissa Miller, Dustin Lynch, Tara Shavonne Kendall, Joseph Garrison, David Brian Garrison II, John William Garrison, Cameron Cheek and Caden Cheek; 28 great grandchildren; a great-great granddaughter; among other loved ones and dear friends.
Her funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Sunday, July 19 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Mickie Smith officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Garrison-Pittman Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be Tyler Tye, Dawson Garland, Connor Garland, Skyler Kendall, Cooper Yucom, David Kendall and Adam Townsley.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Saturday between 6 and 9 P.M. and Sunday prior to the funeral hour.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
Send a condolence to the family of NETTIE SMITH GARRISON.
For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.
