October 13, 2019

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James Hoover “Jimmie” Garner, 90,  passed into the loving arms of his Savior,  Sunday October 13, 2019, at FirstHealth Hospice House, Pinehurst, NC,  surrounded by family.  

Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM, Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Smyrna United Methodist Church, where he was a member, with the Reverend David Woodhouse, Reverend Edwin Moore, Reverend Farrell Hussey and Reverend June Grant officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.   

Jimmie was a native of Moore County.  He graduated from Westmoore High School.  He ran a bulldozer, was a salesman for Phillips Ford and then began a long career in banking with Bank of Montgomery, that later became FirstBank where he became President and CEO.  He received many awards and recognition’s for his work at the bank and also in the community. Jimmie loved the Lord, his family and his church. Jimmie served in many areas at Smyrna United Methodist Church. He was the choir director for almost 70  years, Lay Leader, Chair of the Administrative Council, teacher of the Men’s Sunday School class for over 50 years, President of the United Methodist Men, and served alongside his wife Dot, as leaders of the Smyrna United Methodist Youth Fellowship for more than 30 years. Jimmie loved people and wanted everyone to know how much Jesus loved them. He was a member of the Robbins Men’s Chorus, the Robbins Quartet and then sang with his daughters and brother Bill in a quartet.  Jimmie also sang for countless weddings and funerals.

Jimmie enjoyed working with his hands, in the shop and on the farm.  Family trips to the beach and mountains, were always full of fun. He was proud of all his family, spending time, especially with grandchildren and great grandchildren was very important.   Jimmie allowed Christ to be the guiding force in his life and desired that others knew Him as their Savior. Jimmie was a son of the late Oscar and Annie Williams Garner and was preceded in death by his wife of 69 year, Dot; sisters: Beulah Williams, Marie Owens, Dorothy McNeill, Odessa Greene; brothers: Bud Garner, Cecil Garner, Henry Clay Garner, Bill Garner.

Jimmie is survived by daughters: Sandy Hussey and husband Farrell; Joan Powers and husband Doug; grandchildren: James Hussey and wife Christina, Matthew Powers and wife Nikki, Jared Hussey and wife Jamie, Melissa Cox and husband Matthew; great grandchildren: Emory, Maddox, Rowan, Jaxon, Jimmy, Macalister, Maekyn, Abigail;  sister in law; Janelle Garner; many nieces, nephews, friends, and a host of Moore relatives. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Smyrna United Methodist Church Family Life Center and at other times at the home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials  may be made to Smyrna United Methodist Church Special Projects Fund, 203 Smyrna Church Road, Robbins, NC 27325.

Kennedy Funeral Home is serving the Garner Family.

Online condolences may be made at www.pinesfunerals.com

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  4. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Garner’s family. He has been a blessing to our family through the years.
    He handed me my Diploma when graduating from High School. He also sang at my Mother’s and Daddy’s funerals. He was always kind and friendly wherever I saw him.
    May God give you comfort and strength now and in the days ahead!!!

    Paul and Linda Horner

    • Thinking of you all during this time of sorrow and joy as Mr. Garner goes to his heavenly home and meets his Lord and Savior! What a time of rejoicing there will be!! May your precious memories and the love of God comfort and sustain you in the days ahead. ❤ 🙏
      Jackie Preslar

  6. Sandy , Joan and all the family. May God Bless and comfort you during this time. Love and prayers. Carl and Paula

  7. Prayers going up for all of this family. Jimmy introduced my Mom and Dad who were married 60 years until Mom’s passing. Mom always wanted Jimmy to sing at her funeral, and we were thankful that he was able to do that.

  8. Jimmie was a living legend to
    What is a Christian, Family man , Friend and a great banker.
    God blessed us by Jimmie in our community and being our role model.

  11. Deepest condolences to the family. Mr. Garner was one of those that will be remembered forever. Heaven definatly gained an an angel today.

  12. Sandy, Joan and family. I am so sorry to hear about Jimmie but I am so happy he is with his Lord and Savior and Dot. I’s sure they are rejoicing today. He was such a special man and so important to me and my family. I know your hearts are broken but I know you find peace in knowing he is in heaven and with your Mom. I love all of you.

  14. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES….WE LOVED MR. GARNER HE WAS SO HUMBLE AND ALWAYS HAPPY….MAY HE REST IN PEACE, HE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS.
    TAR HEEL DRUG

  16. Mr. Garner sang at my wedding in December 1970. He had a beautiful voice and I loved hearing him sing. My condolences to the family. I pray that your memories will bring you comfort and peace.

  17. Mr. Garner will be greatly missed. I enjoyed working for and with him at First Bank. His Christian faith stood strong in any interaction he had with any person(s) or with any function within the Bank. Every time he came to visit, he always had a smile on his face. Prayers and Thoughts are with his family during this time.

  18. We were deeply saddened to hear of Jimmy’s passing. He and Dot were great friends of ours and will be greatly missed.

  19. I am so sorry to hear of Mr Garners passing. I had the pleasure of working with him at First Bank for many years. Never has there been a more honest and kind person to work for. Praying for comfort for the family.

  20. This is such sad news. Mr. Garner was such a wonderful Christian man. He will be greatly missed. It was always such a blessing to see him. His smile and great words were always uplifting and you would get such a great feeling talking with him. He was such a sweet man. My condolences to the family and he will be missed.

  21. Many prayers to the family. I knew Jimmie from the bank. He was always kind and he always had everyone else in mind. At the gatherings for the bank, he would sing with his beautiful voice. It always got everyone else singing as well. He will be missed by many here on Earth and loved by many more in heaven.

    • Many thoughts and prayers going out to Mr. Garner’s Family. He was genuinely kind and compassionate to everyone. His smile, singing and hugs will be forever treasured. May he rest in Heaven.

      Shelia Cole And Family.

  24. Prayers for the family. Jimmie was a fine Christian man and highly principled leader. All who ever met him are better off for the experience.

  26. Mr. Jimmie Garner will be missed greatly. He was always so kind and a true gentleman. When he came into First Bank whether it was in the branches or the Operations Center he made sure he spoke to each employee and made sure he told us what a great job everyone was doing. He made us feel valued as employees and a part of his great leadership. During special events he would sing or lead the singing among the group. Mr. Jimmie loved the Lord and you could always see it in his sweet smile and mannerism.

    My sympathy to all of his family. He left a great legacy.

  29. My condolences to the family. I grew up knowing Jimmie Garner from Robbins and his music was a great blessing to me. His leadership and beliefs in God and family shown through in all he did. He will be remembered well in his many blessings and views to the people he came in contact with.

  30. My condolences to the family. My best memories of Jimmie were growing up in Robbins and hearing him sing. His devotion to God and Family will leave great memories for all that he came in contact with. My prayers for all the family.

  31. Jimmie was an incredible man. He always had a smile and a kind word for everyone and was a man of great faith. We always enjoyed hearing his voice lead the choir at Smyrna, what a blessing he was. We both feel so fortunate to have known and loved Jimmie.

  32. I never knew Mr. Garner personally but have experienced and benefited from all he accomplished at First Bank. My prayers go out to the family and I praise the Lord he is with his heavenly Father.

  33. One of the greatest men I had the honor to work with and learn from – both professionally and personally. May God continue to bless the family!

  34. Prayers for the family . Mr. Garner was a great First Bank president besides that he was a great Christian leader for First Bank and he will be truly missed. I am so glad I did get to see him a couple of weeks ago when Frances Cagle brought him by. Heaven has gained another angel!

  35. Mr. Garner was one of a kind. I knew him from being an employee of First Bank. He would always come in before our classes and speak to us all individually and if ever he was traveling near our branch he would always stop by to speak to us. It was a pleasure to work for him. He always had a smile on his face which was so contagious! He will surely be missed. Prayers to his family!!

  36. Praying for the family! Jimmie made such an impression on me with his humble and servant leadership. May you feel God’s comfort surrounding your family. Thankful for the hope we have in Christ!

  37. So sorry to hear about Mr. Jimmie. His visits to Autumn Care will be greatly missed. It was wonderful to see him as he spread the love and joy of Jesus wherever he went. He was truly a servant of Jesus Christ.

  41. Deepest condolences to the family. Mr. Garner was sincerely a pure at heart man and will surely be remembered by everyone that had the pleasure to meet him. May loving memories bring you peace, comfort and strength.

  42. My prayers to Jimmie’s family. He was a great role model that could always be counted to lead with integrity and the Spirit of Christ.

  43. Such a wonderful man. He sang at my wedding 51 years ago. He was always ready to help anyone who needed it. He will be missed.

  44. To the family:
    You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sorry for your loss.
    Love, Harold, Pat, & Misty Clark
    Psalms 116:15

  46. Joan and all the family. What a wonderful example of Christian living. I remember Jimmy especially for his singing. He & my dad were friends and both were choir directors & shared their talents. He will not only be missed by his church but by a great number of people. My sympathy is with you in this loss.

  47. I’ve met Mr. Garner only a view times when I was first employed with First Bank. I remember clearly that every time he visited our Branch he made sure to give you a “good” handshake and speak to you like he had known you for years. That left a tremendous impression on me! Thoughts and prayers to his entire family.

  51. What an awesome tribute video. The pictures of the family and especially of Jimmie’s singing. His voice was touched by angels and it always sent goosebumps on my arms because you knew he believed every word he sang! There was a great and mighty celebration in heaven the day he passed and I am sure he is in that heavenly choir with all those angels. I know it is hard on Sandy, Joan, Farrell, Doug and all the grandchildren and greats and anyone he touched but they have the assurance of his Godly life that they will see him again. My prayers for you all at this difficult time.

  52. Neil & family,
    I was so sorry that I wasn’t aware of Jimmie’s passing until just a short time ago. I certainly would have seen you this evening at the visitation. And unfortunately I already have an obligation that will preclude me being at Smyra tomorrow.
    Jimmie was a wonderful man. I first remember him at Phillips Ford. And later as I enjoyed time and time again listening to his beautiful gift of singing. What a blessing that he shared it so freely with us for so many years. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  54. Prayers to the family! So many wonderful memories!! Your Daddy was loved and respected by so many. I worked for him at the Bank of Montgomery for 7 years and was the best ‘boss’ ever. He also sang at my Daddy’s funeral. Jimmy was a wonderful man and special to everyone. He will be missed!! We loved your sweet Mama too!
    Robert and Connie

  58. Love and prayers as you celebrate your daddy’s life and feel his absence at the same time. Wishing peace that only comes from Jesus Christ to you and your family. A great man has left a great legacy. You are a compassionate family full of Godly love!💐🙏💞

  60. There are no words to describe Jimmie Garner. He was a true Christian in every aspect, loved people, his family, church and community. In a sense he is like Dr. Billy Graham, unreplaceable. Love to his precious family.

  61. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Mr. Garner was a kind and compassionate man. He always made everyone at First Bank feel that they were family.

  62. Sandy, Joan and family, What a beautiful tribute you your Daddy. He had such a beautiful, sincere voice that warms your heart. You are so blessed to know that your Dad went home to be with his Lord and savior and to celebrate with your Mother. That knowledge is what helped Keith, Joanna and myself get through the loss of Mama and Daddy. Please know that you have and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. May all the precious memories you have of Daddy put a smile in your heart in the days to come. Love to you all.

  63. On behalf of First Bank at Knollwood we send our condolences for the family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, today especially, as your honor Mr. Garner and celebrate his life. We thank you for the many years he served First Bank and for the impact he has had on all of us. Each life leaves behind ripples in the family, in the community, and in the workplace…those by Mr. Garner are felt today and forevermore.

  65. Mr Garner was a very kind man and I was fortunate to have worked for him. He led the bank to become a stable and solid rock during times when others faltered. We were blessed to have him as a leader in the bank , in the communities and in our lives. Deepest sympathies to all his family. Pam Wase

  66. Kim and I were grieved to learn of your loss of Mr.Garner. You are all in our prayers. We were always so impressed with his Christian love and concern for us and countless others. When in his or Mrs. Garner’s presence you felt appreciated and loved. Professionally, Mr. Garner always had a word of encouragement and wisdom to share with me as Principal at Westmoore. We will miss his smile and warm demeanor. May God cradle you all in His loving arms in your grief and in the days to come. God bless you. We love you all. Bruce and KIm

  70. Jimmy, thanks for being a great friend and a mentor. Your smile and always kind greeting will
    be surely missed. We looked up to you here on earth and still looking up to you in Heaven with the Father
    and Son. Thank you.

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