Ernestine Long Garrett

Margaret Ernestine Long Garrett celebrated her reunion in heaven with her husband of 59 years, Frederick Earl Garrett, Sr., on May 31, 2018. She was born in Halifax County, Virginia, and would have celebrated her 95th birthday on June 11th.
Ernestine worked as an administrative assistant for several school systems, insurance agencies and county governments in Halifax, South Boston, and Farmville during her 53 year career. She was a graduate of Turbeville High School and National Business College.
“Ernie” was a spunky, witty, and friendly woman who valued and fiercely loved her family and friends. She was “Rock Star” who drove until age 93, walked with a cane on a badly injured leg for over 20 years until her health failed her, and played the piano by ear and sang in church choirs even though she lost her hearing at age 33. She was cared for lovingly by the physicians and staff of Brookview Assisted Living, the Moore Rehabilitation Center, and the Lee Unit of The Woodlands, the nurses and aides and staff of Centra Hospice, and her “carefriends” Mary Carwile, Cindy Mount, Connie Ford, Karen Schinabeck, Elizabeth Whiley, Tara Dickerson, and LaTasha Chambers.
Ernie was predeceased by her husband; her parents-Perry and Ethel Long; six brothers-Willard, Bruce, Brooks, Nick, Perry Owen and Cecil Long; two sisters-Frances Young and Evie Nichols; many nieces and nephews; and three premature babies. She is survived by her daughter, Patsy Garrett Watson of Farmville; her son, Frederick Earl Garrett, Jr., of Phoenix, Arizona; 8 grandchildren-Eleanor Ross ( Brian), Garrett Watson, Patrick Watson (Laura), Casey Watson, Nicole Smith, Luke Garrett, Matthew Garrett; and Mark Garrett; 4 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She kept close her dear friend, Bobbie Bednar of Farmville, and her “Setback Buddies”-Barbara Hansen, Louise Finchum, Willie Mae Jones (deceased) and Sharon Brown, who continued to provide love and support by sharing their time and affection with her even as her health failed.
Interment of Fred’s and Ernestine’s ashes together will be private. A memorial service will be held at Farmville Baptist Church on Monday, June 18, 2018 at 1 PM, followed by a reception and visitation in the Church Fellowship Hall. The family requests that you wear one of her favorite colors of hot pink, red or purple. Please consider a contribution to Farmville Baptist Church, the Southside Virginia Family YMCA or your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.