Jimmy Garner

Mr. Jimmy Willard Garner, age 87, of Linden, TN, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2026, in Linden, TN. Jimmy was born on September 29, 1938, in Flatwoods, TN to Ben and Opal Garner.

Jimmy grew up as the oldest child in his large family on Possum Creek in Flatwoods, TN. He attended Perry County High School and then Freed-Hardeman College. A few may know of his love for a good cup of coffee, and some may know of his love for the trees in the woods, but everyone knows that the focus of Jimmy’s life was spreading the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Jimmy preached his first gospel sermon as a teenager at Farmer’s Valley Church of Christ on Sinking Creek and preached the gospel for almost 70 years. He preached at various places including Kentucky, Arkansas, and many congregations in Perry, Hickman, and surrounding counties of Tennessee. Jimmy and Della had a heart for mission work. In 1970 they took their young family to New Zealand for three years to work with the church there. They were also instrumental with the mission work at Lewistown, MT and Folkston, GA. In addition to his preaching and home Bible studies, he conducted a weekly radio broadcast called Truth in Love for ten years. He wrote for various periodicals including the World Evangelist, the Spiritual Sword, and weekly Bible articles for the Buffalo River Review for 35 years and bi-monthly another five years. As a young preacher in Kentucky when writing his weekly Bible articles, he did not include paragraph breaks, as he was saving space for the words of his message! Only time will tell of the reach of his work.

In addition to the church work, Jimmy worked at Bates Fabricating in Lobelville, TN to provide for his family. He and Della grew amazing produce in their gardens which they put on the family table and shared with others. We don’t know how they did it all!

As one of his children said and all agreed. “He was the best man we ever knew!” He lived what he preached. Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. 

In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by a brother Jerry, and two sisters Agnes and Helen.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Della Mae Davis Garner, a daughter, Aletha (Todd) Bigham of Newcastle, OK; sons Mark (Angela) Garner of Chapin, SC and Ben (Lisa) Garner of Cleveland, TN. Six loving grandchildren; Caleb Bigham, Abigail Bigham McCanahan, Emilia Bigham Jones, Maisy Garner, Braelyn Garner and Trevin Garner, five great-grandchildren: Beckham McClanahan, Eli Bigham, Riley Bigham, Grady McClanahan and a baby Bigham on the way. Three brothers Joe, Roy and Phillip; one sister Connie, many nieces, nephews and many, many friends. 

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