Helen Ruth Garrison

Helen Ruth Garrison, 93, of McArthur, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2013 at The Lindley Inn Assisted Living Community in The Plains. She was born June 10, 1920 in Vinton County, daughter of the late Earl and Leafy Secrest Foreman. Helen was the widow of the late Jackson Lewis Garrison. They were married in 1940.

Helen was a long time member of the McArthur Presbyterian Church, having joined the church at the age of 13. She loved the church and attended regularly. She was the assistant organist and a member of the Hand Bell Choir and a lay reader for many years. She was the Valedictorian of McArthur High School in 1938 and retired from Vinton County Welfare Department in 1985. After retirement, she learned to play the harmonica and dulcimer and entertained with folk songs and hymns at Hocking College Robbins Crossing and other places for many years. She loved music and continued to play her piano daily. Helen traveled widely after retiring, through the United States and saw many other countries including, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, England, Italy, Jordan, Egypt and Israel.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (James) Geitz of Pawleys Island, South Carolina; grandchildren, Patrick Smith of Dayton, Ohio and Kerry (Jeffrey) Kasler of Glouster; great grandchildren, Sophia and Spencer Schwarzenberg; other relatives and many great friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Jeanne Scott and brother, Leslie Foreman.

Funeral services will be held 2 P.M., Thursday, August 29, 2013 in the McArthur Presbyterian Church with Pastor Christine Burns and Rev. Jim Taylor officiating. Interment will be in Elk Cemetery, McArthur. Friends may call at the Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, 201 W. High St., McArthur, on Wednesday, from 6-8 P.M. and on Thursday, one hour prior to the service at the church.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Helen Garrison to McArthur Presbyterian Church, 202 W. High St., McArthur, Ohio 45651.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.cardaras.com