On Saturday, April 1, 2023, an angel gained her wings. Erma Lee Garrison passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Wellstar Paulding Hospital in Hiram, GA. She was born to Arthur Cleveland and Virginia Lee McIntosh on July 24, 1938 in Jefferson County, Birmingham (Mulga), AL and was one of five children. Erma was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend.

Erma was educated in the Jefferson County Public School system and obtained a diploma from Westfield High School in Birmingham, AL. She was above average and graduated high school at the early age of 16 as the Salutatorian of her class. She attended Miles College in Fairfield, AL and continued her education at St. Frances College in Brooklyn, NY. She received her diploma from Harlem Hospital School of Nursing in New York, NY, and was dually licensed in both New Jersey and New York. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Long Island University. Erma was a dedicated scholar and later pursued and earned her Masters Degree from New York University. She taught clinical nursing in the Burough of Manhattan Community College in New York City, NY.

Her spiritual journey began at the First Baptist Parkhill Church in Birmingham, AL where she dedicated her life to Christ. She was baptized at the Lilly Grove Baptist Church in Gary-Ensley, AL and later joined the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Fairfield, AL. She took up membership at the St. Paul Community Baptist Church while residing in Brooklyn, NY and later joined the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Mesic, NC.

She established a rewarding nursing career, worked and retired from Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. Erma caught the eye of Herman Garrison and was married to the love of her life on April 13, 1971. They enjoyed a blissful union along with two sons and relocated to Eastern North Carolina following her retirement. They resided in Bayboro then later Grantsboro. Erma returned to nursing at Craven County Hospital (Carolina East) in New Bern, NC and then Britthaven Nursing Home (Grantsbrook) in Grantsboro, NC. She relocated to Dallas, GA with her sons after a brief illness.

Erma was loved by all who had the opportunity to know her and was affectionately called “Aunti” by her nieces, nephews and friends alike. She possessed a quiet demeanor and was known for her kind, caring, and nurturing spirit who with her witty sense of humor had a genuine knack for lighting up a room with her infectious smile.

She was caring, loving, and generous with a heart of gold often helping anyone who asked. She truly loved her family. Cooking and baking were her pastime favorites. She would often share her cakes on Sunday following worship service and prepare your favorite dish upon request.

She was involved in the Pastor's Aide Club, Women of Purpose and Culinary Ministry of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Mesic, NC.

Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Garrison, her parents Arthur and Virginia McIntosh, two brothers Ezell and Arthur McIntosh, Jr., two brother-in-laws, Maxie Spencer and William Earl Credle, one sister-in-law Margaret McIntosh, two step-daughters Jennifer Sanders and Michelle Mobley.

She leaves to cherish her memory two sisters Ada Spencer and Christine M. Credle, one sister-in-law Minnie McIntosh, two sons Michael Anthony McIntosh (Valeria), Brian Andre Garrison (Vanessa) and stepchildren Guy (Butch) Garrison (Renita) and David Simpson, three grandchildren Shanae McMillan, Mercedes and Tyler McIntosh, eight step-grandchildren Julie Garrison, Shantia Sanders, David Jr., Tatinya, Khalil, Hydiyah Garrison, Buford Foote and Whitney Williams and one great grandchild Elise Valle. Bonus grandchildren Shannan, Sean McMillian & Erica Hicks along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Erma Lee Garrison, age 84, of Dallas, GA (formerly of Grantsboro, NC) transitioned April 1, 2023. We will Celebrate the Life of Mrs. Erma Lee Garrison on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 12 noon at Greener Pastures Funeral Home (4405 Marietta St, Powder Springs, GA 30127). The Family will receive friends on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Greener Pastures Funeral Home from 11 am until the funeral hour.

Interment will follow at Dudley Cemetery (Bayboro, NC) on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 12 noon.

Please keep the Garrison Family in your prayers.

We also would like to extend our sincere thanks to Oscar Funeral Home for their Professional Guidance (New Bern, NC).

Care and Direction entrusted to F. K. Jones Funeral Home.