[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 77 (Friday, May 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E398-E399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MAMIE GARRETT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 5, 2023

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a former 
educator, business owner, civic leader, public servant, loving wife, 
and devoted mother on her 95th birthday. Mamie Williams Garrett of 
Greenville, South Carolina celebrated this milestone birthday 
surrounded by family and friends on April 28, 2023. Through her decades 
of teaching and community service, Mamie has become a pillar of 
Greenville's African American community. We joyfully celebrate her 
longevity.
  Mamie Williams was born on April 28, 1928, in Florence, South 
Carolina. She was the youngest child of three sisters and one brother. 
After attending public schools, she matriculated at Benedict College in 
Columbia, South Carolina. At Benedict, Mamie joined the Upsilon Chapter 
of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and graduated in 1949 with a 
bachelor's degree in education.
  Upon graduating from Benedict, Mamie returned to her hometown to 
begin her career as a teacher. She taught in Florence schools for four 
years before moving to Greenville, South Carolina, and teaching at 
Sullivan Street Elementary School, where she spent most of her career. 
After briefly serving as an English instructor at Greenville Technical 
College, she retired from her 30-years of teaching. Her decades-long 
commitment to educating future generations transformed the lives of 
many.
  In addition to teaching, Mamie played an active role in her family's 
mortuary business. Mamie and her husband purchased partial ownership of 
an existing mortuary in 1954. Eventually, under the new name of 
Watkins, Garrett, and Woods Mortuary, Mamie served as Secretary and 
Treasurer of the organization for five decades. She was also a member 
of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association for over 
40 years. Today, she remains Vice President of the organization.
  Mamie Garrett is also devoted to her faith, community, and family. 
She has been a member of Springfield Baptist Church for half a century 
and has become an institution in the congregation. She practiced her 
faith by employing her musical talents as a featured soloist at events 
and funeral services. Additionally, Mamie was a member of the community 
organization THE MOLES, a network of African American women leaders. 
Mamie was married to the late Fred D. Garrett for over sixty years, and 
together they raised two daughters and one son. Mamie is now a loving 
grandmother and great-grandmother to many and has been a personal 
friend of mine for decades.

[[Page E399]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in celebrating 
the remarkable life of Mamie Williams Garrett. Her service as a 
teacher, business owner, community leader and parishioner continue to 
impact her community every day. All who are fortunate to know her have 
been touched by her elegance and fortitude in countless ways. We 
congratulate her on a life well lived and wish her continued good 
health and happiness in the days to come.

                          ____________________