Official Obituary of
Erin Richardson Garland
April 25, 1922 ~ April 4, 2020 (age 97) 97 Years Old
Erin Garland Obituary
Erin Richardson Garland, 97, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Roswell, Ga.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private graveside service will be held Thursday, April 9, 2020, in Parkhill Cemetery with Pastor Billy Duncan officiating. Those who wish may view the graveside service on our Facebook page @mcmullen funeral home and crematory.
Mrs. Garland was born in Columbus, Ga., on April 25, 1922, daughter of the late Phillip Ira Richardson, Sr. and Erin Davis Richardson. Nurtured in the faith by her mother, she was on the first cradle roll of Beallwood Baptist Church established in 1920. Her love of the Lord and trust in Him continued throughout her life. She was a devoted student of scripture and taught adult Sunday school for 50 years. She truly lived her faith through quiet example. Her joyful sweet smile, kindness and grace touched countless lives.
Her athleticism was evident early in her life. Because she ran everywhere she went, the local blacksmith gave her the nickname E-Rabbit. She played tennis and was captain of her high school basketball team.
After graduation from Columbus High School and two years at Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Ga., she married Jack Courtney Garland in 1942, then a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Although they went to the same high school, they did not meet until she took a lifeguard course he was teaching at the city pool. After the war ended, they settled back in Columbus until 1951 when officer Garland returned to serve in the Korean War as an Air Force pilot. The family stayed in the service until he retired in 1975 as a Lt. Colonel.
Mrs. Garland was a strong Air Force wife, shepherding their four children through many moves stateside and two overseas. She was active in the church and community at each new base. She especially enjoyed golf, winning many tournaments. She continued golfing into her 80s, walking the 18-hole course three times a week. Mrs. Garland was also an excellent duplicate bridge player at one point in her life.
Her family will remember her for her sense of humor, sharp mind, strong faith, artistry with sewing, painting and flower arranging, but especially for the love and acceptance she gave them all.
Other than her parents, Mrs. Garland was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years: Jack Courtney Garland, Sr.; son: Jack Courtney Garland, Jr.; granddaughter: Anne; great granddaughter: Caitlin; and brothers and sisters and their spouses: Imogene Combs (Robert), Carrie Black, John Richardson (Lena Mae), Phillip Ira Richardson, Jr. and Leonard Richardson (Sarah).
Survivors include her three children: Kathryn (husband, Richard), Richard Ira (wife, Janice) and Suzanne;four grandchildren: Gilian (husband, Robert), Laura (husband, Taylor), Richard Adam and Christopher;and five great-grandchildren: Amber, Tyler (wife, Luna), Michael, Davis and Courtney. Other family members include beloved and caring nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beallwood Baptist Church or one's favorite charity.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private graveside service will be held Thursday, April 9, 2020, in Parkhill Cemetery with Pastor Billy Duncan officiating. Those who wish may view the graveside service on our Facebook page @mcmullen funeral home and crematory.
Mrs. Garland was born in Columbus, Ga., on April 25, 1922, daughter of the late Phillip Ira Richardson, Sr. and Erin Davis Richardson. Nurtured in the faith by her mother, she was on the first cradle roll of Beallwood Baptist Church established in 1920. Her love of the Lord and trust in Him continued throughout her life. She was a devoted student of scripture and taught adult Sunday school for 50 years. She truly lived her faith through quiet example. Her joyful sweet smile, kindness and grace touched countless lives.
Her athleticism was evident early in her life. Because she ran everywhere she went, the local blacksmith gave her the nickname E-Rabbit. She played tennis and was captain of her high school basketball team.
After graduation from Columbus High School and two years at Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Ga., she married Jack Courtney Garland in 1942, then a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Although they went to the same high school, they did not meet until she took a lifeguard course he was teaching at the city pool. After the war ended, they settled back in Columbus until 1951 when officer Garland returned to serve in the Korean War as an Air Force pilot. The family stayed in the service until he retired in 1975 as a Lt. Colonel.
Mrs. Garland was a strong Air Force wife, shepherding their four children through many moves stateside and two overseas. She was active in the church and community at each new base. She especially enjoyed golf, winning many tournaments. She continued golfing into her 80s, walking the 18-hole course three times a week. Mrs. Garland was also an excellent duplicate bridge player at one point in her life.
Her family will remember her for her sense of humor, sharp mind, strong faith, artistry with sewing, painting and flower arranging, but especially for the love and acceptance she gave them all.
Other than her parents, Mrs. Garland was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years: Jack Courtney Garland, Sr.; son: Jack Courtney Garland, Jr.; granddaughter: Anne; great granddaughter: Caitlin; and brothers and sisters and their spouses: Imogene Combs (Robert), Carrie Black, John Richardson (Lena Mae), Phillip Ira Richardson, Jr. and Leonard Richardson (Sarah).
Survivors include her three children: Kathryn (husband, Richard), Richard Ira (wife, Janice) and Suzanne;four grandchildren: Gilian (husband, Robert), Laura (husband, Taylor), Richard Adam and Christopher;and five great-grandchildren: Amber, Tyler (wife, Luna), Michael, Davis and Courtney. Other family members include beloved and caring nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beallwood Baptist Church or one's favorite charity.
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