Gene Powell Garrett, 92, passed away on April 11, 2025, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi. Gene was born at home in Thaxton, Mississippi on December 3, 1932, to Irma and Ewen Garrett. After high school, he attended Wood Junior College. While working in the kitchen there, he met Gwen Morgan. They married on January 25, 1952, and were married for 64 years until her passing in 2016. Gene joined the Navy during the Korean War and served for 4 years as a radar technician on the U.S.S. Rankin. While he was serving abroad, his daughter, Adelia, was born. After the war, and toward the end of his service time, the family lived in Washington, D.C. Gene attended Mississippi State University and earned his Master's in Education. He was a teacher, principal, and drove the school bus in the Tupelo School district for many years. He was principal at Milam and Rankin and taught math at Lawhon and Tupelo high school prior to retiring in 1992. After retirement, Gene drove a charter bus out of Starkville for many years and was able to travel and see much of America. He enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He was active in competition muzzle-loading, taught hunter's safety courses for years and was a member of the Cattlemen's Association.

Gene Powell Garrett is survived by his daughter Adelia Joyce Garrett of Fulton, son Gary Powell Hall Garrett (Kellye) of Booneville, daughter Joyce Carolyn Matthews (Marten) of Emmett, Idaho, and brother Robert " Hobbie" Garrett of Palatine, IL. He is also survived by his very special friend Jimmie Faye Johnson and Jackie and Jan Robinson of Mantachie and her family that became his. Gene has six grandchildren, Hannah Morgan Macaw (Justin) of Eagle, Idaho, Calista Diane Houdek of Mountain Home, ID, Garrett Ross Matthews of Emmett, ID, Brooke Anne Putt (Wesley) of Tupelo, MS, Mollie Lauren Brown, Olivia Joyce Garrett and Gracen Powell Garrett of Booneville, one great grandchild, Rolly Macaw of Eagle, ID and two nieces Catherine Garrett and Sylvie Resch (Benjamin) of Chicago, IL. He was preceded in death by his father and mother. Delmar Ewen Garrett and Irma O'Dell Todd Garrett, and his wife Joyce Gwendolyn Garrett.

Gene will be remembered with a visitation at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home at the Mantachie chapel on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 5 to 8 pm. Service will be at McNeece-Morris Mantachie with visitation from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm and funeral at 3:00 pm. Bro. Trey Lambert and San Steele will officiate the service. A graveside burial will be held at Oak Hill Methodist Cemetry in Tupelo following the service. Oak Hill Methodist Church Cemetery address is 1328 CR 885, Saltillo, MS 38866.

Pallbearers: Jackie Robinson, Joe Estes, San Steele, Wesley Putt In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The family would like to express gratitude to the healthcare providers and our support systems who provided love, comfort and assistance during our time of need.