Cathy Elizabeth Garner

Cathy Elizabeth Garner, 75, a lifelong resident of Maury County, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at NHC Columbia HealthCare.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Visitation with family and friends will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hampshire. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Cedar Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Ronnie Hines, 3670 Campbellsville Pike, Columbia, TN 38401.

Born on February 26, 1951, in Maury County, Cathy was the daughter of the late J.D. "Gee" Garner and the late Margaret McCaleb Garner. She was reared in the Hampshire Community, where she was a 1969 graduate of Hampshire High School. She proudly represented her school at Girls State, served as president of her sophomore class, was a member of the yearbook staff and library club, and faithfully managed the girls' basketball team. Following graduation, she attended Columbia State Community College.

Cathy retired after many years of dedicated service in the cosmetics department at Kroger, where her warm smile and friendly spirit made lasting impressions on coworkers and customers alike. Retirement did little to slow her down. She found great joy in spending her days at the Beauty Clinic, where she happily washed towels, made coffee, welcomed clients, helped them safely in and out of the shop, and made sure everyone made it to their cars. More than anything, the Beauty Clinic became a place where Cathy could do what she loved most—spend time with people. She cherished every conversation and every friendship, and her caring presence became an important part of the daily lives of so many. Cathy had a great love of attending horse shows from an early age and was a true Elvis fan. She was a member of Highland Church of Christ.

She is survived by several cousins and by a circle of cherished friends who became like family, including Teresa "Sissi" Smith, Kay Wood, Susie Jackson, Beverly Ledford, Sharon Davis, and the girls and customers of the Beauty Clinic, all of whom held a special place in her heart.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Judy Ann Garner, on June 4, 1985.

Friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of NHC Columbia HealthCare and Caris Hospice for the exceptional care, kindness, and comfort they provided Cathy during her final months.