Roy Lee Garrison, 85, of Queen City, formerly of Memphis, died Friday, October 14, 2011 at Scotland County Hospital in Memphis.
He was born the son of George Robert and Clara Ethel (Aldridge) Garrison on May 5, 1926 in Memphis.
Roy Lee served in Army of the United States during World War II, seeing action in the Philippians as a rifleman. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two bronze battle stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze battle stars, the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan for his service.
He married the former Marieta Louise Rhodes on December 5, 1953. She survives.
Roy Lee was a long time gravedigger in the Memphis area. He loved fishing and mushroom hunting. Roy Lee had recently moved to the Schuyler County Nursing Home. He loved to laugh and joke with others.
Roy Lee was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters, and one grandchild.
He is survived by his wife, Marieta of Queen City, children and Betty and husband Alan Jennings of Saginaw, MI, Lee Roy and wife Tina Garrison of Memphis, Judy and husband Richard Hesseltine of Floris, IA, Julie Rainbolt of Dixon, IL, Beverly and husband Terry Burch of Stillwell, IL, and Laura and husband Larry Miller of Queen City; 14 grandchildren; one step grandchild; 14 great grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Gerth Funeral Chapel in Memphis with Larry Smith, pastor of the Downing Christian Church, officiating. Inurnment with military rites will be follow in the Memphis Cemetery. The Wallace W. Gillespie Memorial V.F.W. Post #4958 of Memphis will conduct the gravesite military rites.
Visitation is prior to the service on Wednesday, from 9-11 a.m., at the Gerth Funeral Home in Memphis.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers Association, American Cancer Society or the Schuyler County Nursing Home and can be left at or mailed to the Gerth Funeral Service, 115 S. Main, Memphis, MO 63555.
