Joel Neil Garrison was born on July 9, 1949 in Buffalo New York. He was the third eldest of six children born to the union of Napolian and Olivia Garrison. From a little boy Joel was affectionately known as Butch. He was educated in the Buffalo Public School System where he received a vocational diploma in upholstery from Emerson Vocational High School.
Joel lost his mother in 1969 right before being drafted into the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany. When returning home, he gained a wonderful bonus mom who loved him as her own Hennie Garrison plus two stepbrothers Allen and David Jackson. He started his career at Ford Motor Company in Buffalo, New York. A few years later he moved to Detroit where he continued in the automotive industry until retirement. Detroit is where he met and married his wife Sherry, on April 12, 1979. To this union was born two children, Joel II and Kristian.
Joel dedicated his life to Jehovah God and symbolized it by water baptism on July 25, 1987. He later had the privilege of serving as an Elder in various congregations for over 20 years. He worked hard in his ministry, the congregation and in life.
He was a good husband, father, and friend. He loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. If you were his friend, you were his friend for life. He loved working on cars with his brother Earl, listening to Jazz music, collecting model cars and spending time with friends and family.
Joel Garrison passed away on April 5, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents Napolian and Olivia Garrison; four brothers, Bobbie Davis Sr., Earl Garrison, Myron Garrison, and Allen Jackson; Joel’s memory will forever be cherished by: his loving and devoted wife of 41 years Sherry Garrison; children Joel Garrison II, Kristian Garrison; Mother, Hennie Garrison; three sisters Gale (Gary) Edwards, Julia Williams, and Yvonne Garrison; Mother-in-law who he loved as his own, Henrietta Quarles; Three sister in-laws who he adopted as his sisters, Bettye (Lee) Porter, Carolyn Quarles- Jackson, Lisa Quarles (Gary) ; three brother in-laws, Ervin (Antoinette) Daniels, Jerome (Wanda) Quarles, Eric (Denise) Quarles; A very special cousin who was more like a brother Alfred Garrison, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his spiritual family.
Acknowledgement of Appreciation
Our family would like to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the love and care shown to our family through expressions of comforting messages, telephone calls, cards, floral, and most of all your prayers. Your support and love is invaluable. ------- The Garrison Family