Sally Garrett was born to Thorton Sr (Tom) and Dorothy Harris on October 28, 1932 in Buckingham County Virginia. Sally had nine siblings - Elizabeth, Lois, Gereline, Thorton Jr (Jack), Framer, James (Jimmy), George, William, and Arthur.

Sally joined Union Branch Baptist Church at an early age and was an active member for years.

On August 16, 1952 Sally married the love of her life - Earl Nathaniel Garrett, Sr., also from Buckingham County and moved to Brooklyn, New York where they raised five children in the Gowanus Housing Projects. Sally was a stay at home mom and a respected, active member of the community. She was lovingly known as a “Gowanus Mother”, a term of endearment. The Garrett household was always filled with lots of love and laughter, where the door was always open and there was always a seat at the table. Many of the neighborhood children considered the Garrett household their second home. She was known throughout the neighborhood for her famous homemade rolls.

When her youngest son was old enough, Sally joined the workforce and was one of the first Paraprofessionals for the NYC Board of Education. While working she enrolled in Medgar Evers College and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education to become a Language Arts teacher. She then received her Master of Science degree in Education from Brooklyn College. Sally spent her entire teaching career at IS 293. She was also the faculty advisor for the school’s yearbook.

After living in Brooklyn for 45 years Earl and Sally returned to their roots in Buckingham County and settled in Dillwyn. With their homecoming, Sally eventually joined Earl’s home church, Fork Union Baptist Church where she was a faithful and dedicated member, serving as a missionary and worked at summer bible school.

Even though Sally was retired, her love for teaching led her to be a volunteer at the Buckingham Primary school, working in the reading program for four year olds.

On September 10th after a brief illness, Sally was called home to be with The Lord. Sally was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Elizabeth, Jack, Lois and Jimmy; her oldest son Earl Nathaniel Jr., daughter-in-law Lynda (Earl), son-in-law Donald (Denise) and her beloved cat Pebbles. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her children; Denise, Gwendolyn, Anthony, Christopher and David; granddaughters Adesina, Shaylene, Lauren, and Maya; great-grandchildren Alex, Liam and Adesina Jr.; daughter-in-law Sandra; brother-in-law Sam (Gereline), and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, church family and friends.

Sally will always be remembered as a woman of faith who had a close and personal relationship with God, and was deeply devoted to her family. She will also be remembered for her generous heart, her optimistic view on life and hosting fabulous family gatherings. As in Brooklyn, the Dillwyn Garrett home was always a place for good times, good food, love and laughter.