Joe E. Garren, 80, of Athens, died Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.
Joe was born in Monroe County and was a longtime resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Elbert S. and Ester Steele Garren. He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter Sharon Jo Garren, sisters, Wanda Garren, Elsie Wilburn and Louise Abernathy, and brothers Wesley, Billy, Junior, and Glenn Garren.
He was a member of Eastanallee Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
He served in the Tennessee National Guard for 6 years and retired from the Athens Utilities Board after 32 years in the Power Division.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Thompson Garren of Athens; two daughters and one son-in-law, Elisha and Eric Arnett of Athens and Patti Garren of Atlanta; two grandsons, Austin and Gavin Arnett; brother, Austin Garren of Athens; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be conducted,7:00pm, Wednesday, November 1st in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Dr. Tony Crisp officiating. The committal service will be 11:00 am, Thursday in Eastanalleee Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be Cecil Elliott, Bill Harmon, Billy Parkison, Jerry Shamblin, Jimmy Crisp, and Lee Womac. Honorary pallbearers will be his Sunday School Class at Eastanallee Baptist Church, and special friends Bob Wilson, Jim Davis, and Wayne Parkinson.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made in Joe's honor to Eastanallee Baptist Church Building Fund, 482 County Road 725, Riceville, TN 37370.
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