Anna E Garrett

“I am not sure why God wants me here but I will live on and do his work until he comes to get me.” And live on she did to become the oldest living person in the state of Indiana. Live on she did to rank in the top twenty oldest living people in the United States. Live on she did to, at the age of 109, receive a United States Congressional plaque commemorating her supercentenarian status. Live on she did to nurture and shape her great grandchildren into their twenties and thirties. And live on she did to become a great-great-grandmother to Aiden Gonzales, now seven years of age.

Yes. On Thursday, May 27, 2021 God called Anna Ethelina Garrett home at the age of 112. He called her home while she slept in her bed, in her home of over 50 years, whispering, “your work is done.”

Anna was the loving wife of James Garrett and mother to Joyce Irvin and Saundra Tucker, “Butch”. She was extremely proud of her Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandson.

Born in Sparta Georgia on July 26, 1908 to Ashley and Elsie Byrdsong, Anna was the fourth oldest of what would ultimately be a family of sixteen children – 13 incredible daughters and 3 remarkable sons. Papa Ashley was a sharecropper, and when Anna was old enough to help in the fields, the family had to cut the hoe down to match her size. In 1922, at the age of 14 she was part of the legendary family migration from Sparta to Indianapolis. Some by train. Some by car. While on the train with Mama Elsie and not knowing much about Indiana, she asked, “are there cotton fields?” – her big hope being that the days of hard labor were behind them.

The rest of her teenage years would be spent growing up on the west side of Indianapolis in the area that has since been redeveloped by IUPUI. She would meet James Garrett and they would later marry in 1930. Unable to have children right away, they traveled extensively. “Getting away” would remain a shared hobby up until the death of Mr. Garrett in 1993.

There is an air of elegance and dignity that marks Byrdsong women, and Anna was no different. She took pride in her hair and nails and was always dressed to a T, down to what seemed like matching luggage when they traveled. Oh, and the hats! The Kentucky Derby had nothing on a formal gathering of Byrdsong women.

After marriage, Anna held many odd jobs to contribute to the financial well-being of the family, but no job was more important to her than being a mother to Joyce and Butch. Thinking she could never have children, they were the surprise and love of her life, Joyce arriving in December of 1940 and Butch in February of 1945. The outpouring of love for her husband and family was an extension of how she loved God and mirrored the love she received from her parents, siblings and numerous relatives.

Anna was a blessing and was blessed. Lead by Joyce and Butch’s remarkable devotion, dedication and sacrifice the following people in small teams at separate times, over the course of the last decade, made sure Anna wanted for nothing: Ms. Vicki Thomas, Ms. Dawn Thomas, Ms. Tiffany Hamilton, Ms. Gloria Anthony, Ms. Nadine Williams, Ms. YoTusha Wilson, Ms. Javonneia Akers, Ms. Jennifer Hurst, Ms. Beverlee Preston, Ms. Janae Dixon, Ms. Rocquina Hickman. But for their care and love Anna would not have been allowed to live out her life at home.

Anna joined Mt. Paran Baptist church as a member in 1958. A faithful attendee up until such time that her health prevented her from being in person. A lifelong servant of the Lord.

Anna is survived by her daughters Joyce Irvin and Saundra Tucker; her Grandchildren Lynn Irvin, Paul Irvin (Matt Egbert), James Irvin (Troy Dunham), Kevin Bacon (Kristen Brayson), and Kimberly Bacon; her Great Grandchildren, Arturo Gonzales, Aisha Gonzales, Cassidy Bacon and Kiah Bacon; her Great Great Grandson Aidan Gonzales; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

To Ms. Gertrina Ellerson, we give thanks and send prayers to you as the last remaining surviving sibling of the original 16.