Joe Garrison

Dr. Ronald Joseph Garrison, 75, of Cleveland, passed away Friday, April 10, 2015, at Baptist Hospital East in Memphis, TN. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015, at Ray Funeral Home. Celebration of Life services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Cleveland Church of Christ located at 212 Ronaldman Road. Interment will follow in the North Cleveland Cemetery. Dr. Garrison was born in West Virginia on June 29, 1939, to Henry Beecher Garrison and Cecile Cross Garrison. He achieved his undergraduate degree from Fairmont State College in West Virginia, and he earned his master's degree at Marshall University in Charleston, West Virginia. He taught elementary school in Charleston and Steelton, WV, and supervised student teachers at West Liberty University. He then went on to teach at Huron College in Huron, South Dakota, where he met his wife, Joyce Fursee. They married in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, on April 12, 1968. Shortly after, they moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. While teaching as an instructor, he furthered his education and earned a PhD from the University of Alabama. He then taught at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. In 1975, they moved to Cleveland and he joined the faculty at Delta State University, where he worked for over forty years and served as Professor and Chairman of the Division of Teacher Education, Leadership, and Research.
A faithful man, Dr. Joe Garrison loved and served the Lord with all of his being. He attended the Cleveland Church of Christ and was a deacon and elder there for many years. A musically talented man, he enjoyed playing piano and singing. He also enjoyed reading the news, traveling, learning and sharing interesting facts, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. You could often find Dr. Garrison engaging in conversation or philosophical discussions. He loved talking with others and getting to know people, often he would engage in witty banter, and always kept a smile on his face.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Beecher Garrison and Cecile Cross Garrison; brothers, George Garrison, Harold Garrison, and Charlie Garrison; and sister, Lucille Garrison Strosnider. Dr. Garrison is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joyce F. Garrison of Cleveland; daughter, Danna Pritchard (Dave) of Hudson, WI; son, Dr. Curtis B. Garrison (Beth) of Meadville, PA; grandchildren, Kevin and Rachel May of Hudson, WI, and Aubrey and Rylan Garrison of Meadville, PA; sister, Lillie Garrison Varner (Terry) of Marietta, OH; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Kevin May, Rylan Garrison, Dave Pritchard, Stuart Varner, Scott Varner, Scott Hutchens, and Carlton Edmondson. Honorary pallbearers will be Lyn Reaves, Dr. David Walt, Eckward McKnight, Ralph Smith, Lowell Kirkbride, Dr. Thomas J.P. Bradley, Dr. Terry Harbin, Dr. Timothy Watkins, and Sr. Franco Zengaro. Memorials can be sent to the family to be distributed among the following organizations that have been influential in his grandchildren's lives: Flaming Pine Youth Camp (Kevin May), Gillette Children's Hospital (Rachel May), The Learning Center (Aubrey and Rylan Garrison).
Memorials can also be made to the Dr Joe Garrison Excellence in Teacher Education Memorial Scholarship at Delta State University PO Box 3151 Cleveland, MS 38733 or go to www.deltastategiving.org