MURFREESBORO – James Bailey ‘J.B.’ Garris, Jr., age 79, of the 200 block of Vinson Mill Road, died Monday, April 19, 2010, at Sentara Leigh Hospital, Norfolk, VA.
Mr. Garris was born in Hertford County on February 25, 1931, a son of the late James Bailey and Mabel Vinson Garris. He was a member of Meherrin Baptist Church, George Masonic Lodge #17 AF&AM and was a Shriner. J.B. was retired as a soil technician with the NC Department of Transportation.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Ola Barnes Garris of the home; a daughter, Joan Garris Grizzard and husband, Jody of Murfreesoboro; a son, James Ellis Garris and wife, Del of Woodland; grandchildren, Jason B. Grizzard and wife, Hadassah of Raleigh, Justin L. Grizzard of Kill Devil Hills, P. Jill Grizzard of Richmond, VA and Jonathan M. Garris of Woodland, and a great granddaughter, Anna Bella Grizzard. Also surviving is a sister, Virginia Dare Britt and husband, Jack of Murfreesboro and her children, Julie Brickhouse and Jamie Edwards; and a brother-in-law, David Carter Barnes of Boykins, VA.
A celebration of life service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2010, at Meherrin Baptist Church with the Rev. Josh Parsons and Rev. Joe Lassiter officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and other times at the home. Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Meherrin Baptist Church, 519 Meherrin Ave., Murfreesboro, NC, 27855.
Family and friends may send condolences and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.garrettjonesfh.com.
Thoughts and prayers and may God hold you in his arms and comfort you and your family during this difficult time. Love through Christ, Merle
To Del and Family. I am praying God’s blessing on you, that He will give you and the entire family strength during this difficult time.
Justin and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.