Mr. Thurland Rufus Garrett,, Jr.

Celebrating Our Beloved Thurland Rufus Garrett, Jr.- "TR" Thurland Rufus Garrett, Jr. also affectionately known as (TR) was born on February 17, 1942 in Oxford, NC to Mary and Thurland R. Garrett, Sr. He was the oldest of 3 children. TR was a loving child and enjoyed going to church with his sisters Maryann and Hazel and singing songs happily to the congregation with his mother. His education from early childhood to high school was at Mary Potter Academy; the only school for Black Americans at that time in Granville County, NC. He later was a founding member of the New York Chapter of Mary Potter Academy reunions. After school still a teen he moved from NC to New York to help his family financially. He worked in the NY garment district and later God directed him to the position of Sergeant of Security at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, NY. There he experienced decades of events including; meeting Michael Jackson and the horrific aftermath of September 11, 2001, clocking out just a few hours before the tragedy occurred. He retired after 34 years in June of 2004. By the age of 20 TR had married Helen Griffith and they were the proud parents of Laura Marie and Lawrence Anthony Garrett. TR’s second wife DeLois preceded him in death in 1994. Through prayer and friendship TR then married his darling wife Sherry on September 7,2002 and celebrated the addition of her two sons DeWaun C. Driver and Captain Samuel Lockhart Jr. TR’s favorite pastime was talking about the Lord! Every opportunity he used the Word to witness to family, friends and strangers. He was also a man who was full of joy with a laugh that was contagious. TR had many testimonies and was an expert storyteller his audience often chuckled and shook their head as they listened to the many stories over and over, he didn’t bat an eye as he retold every story in complete detail, lol. His hobbies included reading everything and doing crossword puzzles, but he most enjoyed watching EVERY sport on TV with his popcorn in hand and there was no letting go of the remote if Walker Texas Ranger was on! TR enjoyed food and had no problem volunteering sisters and sisters-in-law to cook a turkey burger, or pies! TR liked to dress like a king with class and color. He enjoyed driving across country in his Cadillac and had no problem relocating as he lived in NC, NY, PA, NJ and MI. In 2007 TR was ordained a Deacon at Deeper Life Christian Center under the teaching and friendship of Bishop John and Pastor Bobbie Brown in Trenton NJ and again at Beloved St. John in Philadelphia, PA. He loved reading the Bible, and could quote scriptures from any of the 66 books at the drop of a hat. After relocating to MI in 2008, TR attended Sanctuary Fellowship Baptist Church under Pastor Keith Whitney and later joined Word of Faith International Christian Center in 2009 under the teaching of Bishop Keith Butler and Pastor Andre Butler until his death. TR was a doer of the Word and served on various ministries;The 24-hour prayer team, the Outreach Ministry and his beloved Men’s UNIT where he was a faith group host until his death. TR had many attacks on his health and each hospital or rehab visit you would find him ministering to other patients, staff and visitors! TR loved God, his family and friends to the end. TR went on to glory April 14, 2016

Mr. Thurland Rufus Garrett,, Jr.

February 17, 1942 - April 14, 2016