JOHN AND DEE GARRISON

The following bio was taken from page 207 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of TX

John and Dee Garrison came to Henderson in September 1941 from Albuquerque, New Mexico to open the new Sears store on October 16, 1941. The sight of beautiful hills and valleys and all the beautiful pine trees made the Garrisons fall in love with East Texas at first glance.

The Garrisons had one daughter, Dorothy Anne, and later were blessed with another daughter, Sue though they are fourteen years apart in age.

The family immediately joined the First Baptist Church were Dee has been active in all the church affairs and has taught Sunday School class during all these years. John joined the Kiwanis Club and the Rusk County Chamber of Commerce.

Rent houses were very scarce at the time the Garrisons moved to Henderson, but they were fortunate to rent what was known as the House Beautiful on Laylon Street. The tragedy of Pearl Harbor occurred soon after the Sears Store opened; therefore, the store meant tremendous work for John. The store made much progress, and John received a plaque from Sears Roebuck and Company for his work as manager as the outstanding manager in this territory for the size of the store. John has been with Sears for a number of years, having served in the Waco Sears store and then transferred from Waco to Albuquerque.

John Garrison’s father was John Lee and his mother’s name was Lillie Mae. They had three girls and three boys in their family.

Dee’s father’s name was David G. Green, and her mother, a widow, was Lucrita Patience Green. Dee had four sisters, one of whom still lives in California, and two brothers.

John retired in July 1949 from Sears because of rheumatoid arthritis. In 1949 the Garrisons opened a gift and antique business in their home. Later the business was moved to 119 E. Main, and in 1965 to 105 E. Main where the store is still open for business.

The Garrisons made many friends through their business connections. Then in the late summer of 1980, John had a stroke and has not been able to resume work at the store. The store is now managed by the Garrisons’ son-in-law, Forrest (Caesar) Lunsford.

Dorothy Anne, the oldest daughter, married Bert Wood of Marshall. They have a daughter, Cathy Wood Carter, one granddaughter, Christi, and one grandson, Chad. The Wood family still live in Marshall.

The younger daughter, Sue, and her husband, Forrest Lunsford, have two daughters, Cheyenne and Shelby. The Lunsford’s live near Overton where Sue works at the Texas A&M Research Center. Forrest, of course, manages the store in Henderson, Dee’s Gifts & Furniture, Inc.

The Garrisons have been living in Henderson for forty years and will remain in Henderson until the Lord sees fit to take us to HIS heavenly home, where we hope to meet all our friends.

Submitted by John and Dee Garrison