J. Leora Garrison

Mrs. J. Leora (McDaniel) Garrison passed this life on Wednesday August 29, 2018 and is safely home in Heaven. She was born on Route One of Muskogee, Oklahoma, on April 20, 1935, the daughter of Alfred Lee and Juanita (Rozell) McDaniel. She grew up in Muskogee where she graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1952. In 1955 she married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Kenneth “Don” Garrison. She was a graduate of Draughon’s Business College, Muskogee; LaSalle University, Chicago, IL, and graduate studies with the University of Oklahoma. Leora came to know her Lord and Savior at the age of 9 years. At her death she was a member of First Baptist Church of Muskogee. She retired from the position of Financial Assistant, First Baptist Church, Muskogee, where she served for 8 years. She had a long accounting background, having been employed at Callery Chemical Co., Acme Engineering & Mfg. Corp. in Muskogee and Braden Industries Inc. in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and later as the church Secretary for First Presbyterian Church in Muskogee for 10 years. She was also affiliated with Fin & Feather Resort on Lake Tenkiller for more than 40 years. Leora was a nationally Certified Ceramics teacher; owning and operating her own business at Lake Tenkiller for 10 years. She had been a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Broken Arrow, serving in several leadership positions and was a member of the Muskogee Civitan International Club where she served as Secretary for several years. She also served in many positions in her church and had been Director of the Singles Dept. at First Baptist Church, Muskogee, for several years. This was a ministry dear to her heart and she began it many years ago by teaching the singles at First Baptist Church, Broken Arrow. She loved singing in the church choir when she was able and enjoyed music very much. She had been in a church choir for most of her life in different churches and sang duets with her husband when he was an active music minister. Leora was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita (Rozell) McDaniel in 1988 and her father, Alfred Lee McDaniel in 1996. She leaves in God’s care her devoted husband, Kenneth “Don” Garrison Sr. of the home; son, Kenneth D. Garrison Jr. of Muskogee; daughter, D. LeAnn Somers and husband Terry of Scottsdale, AZ; son, Anthony Shawn Garrison of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Hali Dane’ Ficklin of Muskogee, Chelsea Hannah Garrison of Summerville, SC; great granddaughter, Ellie Dane’ Jimenez of Muskogee. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Ann Figueroa and husband Joseph of Phoenix, AZ; nephews, Terry Lee Yochum, Mesa, AZ, Bryan Yochum (Nikki) of Phoenix, AZ, Matthew Figueroa (Melissa), Scottsdale, AZ, and their families; niece, Jodi Figueroa of Oakland, CA. Also two very dear friends, Betty Jones-Franks of Muskogee and Barbara Newell of Azle, TX. An uncle, Junior McDaniel (Juanita) of Muskogee and many cousins from Delaware to California and numerous friends. A celebration of life will be 12:00pm. Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Johnny Derouen officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Memorials may be sent in Leora’s memory to First Baptist Church Music Ministry, 111 S. 7th St., Muskogee, OK 74401. Funeral services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 N. York Street, Muskogee, OK. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com.

J. Leora Garrison

April 20, 1935 - August 29, 2018