Carmella “Carmen” Jean Garrison, 69, of Connersville, passed away early Sunday morning, May 7, 2023 at Compassus Hospice Care, Indianapolis.
She was born March 2, 1954 in Connersville, the younger of two daughters of James Edward and Barbara J. White Shanklin. Carmen graduated with the Connersville High School class of 1973.
At the age of 15, she began working at Kunkel’s Drive-In and continued working there for over 53 years.
On June 30, 1953, she married Steven Garrison in First Baptist Church.
Carmen was a member of St. Gabriel Church and served on bereavement committees in the church. She had also donated her time to St. Ann’s Altar Society. Since 1985, Carmen was a member of the Eta Pi Kappa Sorority Beta Chapter where she held many offices.
In her leisure, she enjoyed reading and knitting. She also enjoyed the great outdoors and activities such as hiking and gardening. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Along with her husband, Carmen enjoyed going to Indiana State Parks through the years.
Survivors include her husband of close to 50 years, Steve Garrison of Connersville; two children, Jama (Aaron) Guthrie of Abington, Indiana and Curtis Garrison of Connersville; two grandchildren, Ellie Sue Garrison of Connersville and Huntley Michael Guthrie of Abington; a sister, Pandora (Stephen) Wilhelm of Indianapolis; a niece, Stephanie (Tom) Wellman of Indianapolis; a nephew, Abraham (Kelly) Wilhelm of Indianapolis; an uncle, Harold (Judy) White of Connersville; three sisters-in-law, Carolyn Garrison and Phyllis Brown, both of Connersville, and Cathy (Steve) Asay of Florida; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Dustin Boehm at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2023 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. Recitation of the Rosary will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023 with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. Burial will be in Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Carmen to the Fayette County Cancer Society or the St. Vincent House.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.