Charles Stephen Garrett

Charles Stephen Garrett, age 88 of Buford, GA, died Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

Funeral service will be held at Buford First Methodist Church on Saturday, November, 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM. Dr. Sondra Jones will officiate. Interment will follow at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive Friends on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 4-8 PM at the funeral home.

Mr. Garrett was the son of the late Reuben and Mattie Garrett of Summerville, GA, where he grew up. He entered North Georgia College in 1941. Like so many of his generation, he enlisted in the U.S. Military Service at the outbreak of World War II in 1942. Charles joined the Army Air Corps and served as a radio operator on a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber of the 8th Army Air Corps. On one of the early missions, the German Air Force forced Charles's plane down over Denmark. It was Charles's 20th birthday. The crew was captured and spent the next 18 months as prisoners of war in Stalag 17B in Krems, Austria. Charles was awarded the Purple Heart and was discharged from military service in October 1945. In 1947, he married Charmet Osborn of Ellijay, GA. Charles attended the University of Georgia and completed his BBA degree in Accounting. He worked for Georgia Boot Manufacturing Company for 38 years, from which he retired in 1986. Charles was a member of Buford First United Methodist Church for over 50 years and was the church treasurer for over 40 years. He also served on numerous other church committees and councils and was the adult Sunday School teacher. During his adult life, Charles was a community leader, serving as a Boy Scout troop leader, Buford City Schools board member, Buford High School Touchdown Club member and Georgia Bulldog Club member. Besides being an avid Buford Wolves and Georgia Bulldogs fan, Charles enjoyed working outdoors, raising and working with horses. Charles had a restored horse drawn wagon and a buggy, which he used to ride the Sunday School children in at the annual Easter Egg hunt held at the Garrett home place.

In addition to Charmet, his wife of 65 years, Charles is survived by his two sons and their wives, Mike and Vicki Garrett, Buford, GA, and Mark and Mindy Garrett, Marietta, GA, grandchildren Ansley Garrett, Dacula, GA, Wesley Garrett, Buford, GA, Ben Garrett and Anna Garrett, Marietta, GA, great grandchildren Stephen Garrett and Savannah Garrett, Buford, GA. He also is survived by his sister-in-law Catherine (Charlie) Waters, Ellijay, GA, nieces Yvette Westbrook, Ellijay, GA, Cindy (Dana) Brockington, Acworth, GA, Cathie (Hugh) Hudson , Atlanta, GA, Mary Mayes (Tommy Jordon), Athens, GA, and grand nephews Charles (Katherine Ann) Jordan and Ben Jordan, Athens, GA and grand niece Erin (Chris) Johnson, Marietta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Buford First United Methodist Church or Buford First United Methodist Youth Fellowship, 285 East Main St., Buford, GA 30518.

Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Charles at hamiltonmillchapel.com