Keiya Solenya Garrett

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Celebrating The Life

Garrett Friday, April 16, 2021

1:00 p.m.

Brown Missionary Baptist Church 980 Stateline Rd East Southaven, Mississippi 38671

January 25, 1974

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April 11, 2021

Dr. Bartholomew Orr Sr. – Senior Pastor Pastor Derrick Anderson-Officiating

Obituary

On Friday, January 25, 1974, Ruthie Coleman and the late Lloyd Graves were lovingly presented an angel in Greenville, MS. They named her Keiya Solenya Graves. At the age of ten, she relocated to Memphis, TN with her parents, Dennis and Ruthie Coleman. Keiya and her family joined a local church, where she confessed her loved for Christ at an early age. In 1992, she graduated from The Whitehaven High School and continued her education at the University of Memphis, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education. Post-graduation, she traveled the world as a Mesaba Airlines flight attendant. She concluded her adventures to dive into her passion—education. She found her home at Memphis City Schools and continued with the district through its transition to Shelby County Schools. Her daily service as an energetic, faithful employee for over 20 years as a teacher was fueled by her love for her students and coworkers. She later became an instructional advisor with I-Zone, where she continued to operate in excellence.

In 1998, Keiya met the love of her life, Mr. Alfred Thomas Garrett. They wed in holy matrimony at Koinonia Baptist Church on September 22, 2001. Alfred and Keiya were best friends and the epitome of love. They affectionately called each other king and queen, but more than words, they purposefully carried out the daily actions that make love a verb. In 2004, they gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, the late Miss Auriel I’man Garrett.

During their 19 years of wedded bliss, they joined and became faithful members of World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church, where Keiya served as an outreach minister under the leadership of Apostle Alton R. Williams, Sr. In addition to her illustrious career as an educator, Keiya was an accomplished woman. She was an educational consultant, motivational speaker and became an author when her first book Real to Me was published in 2010.

To meet Keiya was to experience her operate in love. Her jovial spirit, infectious personality and her angelic smile captivated all she encountered.

Keiya truly never met a stranger and has left her legacy of love with many. Her students, numerous coworkers and friends were all drawn to her warmth and touched by her light. Keiya was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt and best friend to so many people who became her family. Knowing Keiya, one couldn’t help but hear her favorite saying: “All IS WELL”, followed by an “I LOVE YOU!” because Keiya loved everyone!

Keiya Solenya Garrett departed this life when she answered her Heavenly Father’s call on Sunday April 11, 2021. She was preceded in death by her daughter Auriel I’man Garrett, her father, Lloyd Graves, her grandparents Dan & Katherine Coleman, Jesse & Leola Johnson, and her father-inlaw Elvin T. Garrett. Mourning her transition, yet rejoicing in her life, she leaves her loving husband Alfred Garrett, her parents Dennis and Ruthie Coleman, two brothers, Justin Coleman(Melissa) of Boston, MA and Dennis Coleman(Kimathi) of Memphis, TN, her mother-in-law, Ms. Irene Hollins, three brother-in-laws, Eddie R. Hollins, Otis Hollins, Claude Hollins (Michelle), one sister-in-law, Peggy Boyd (Ervin), and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, God-children, and numerous friends, whom all loved her to life and will cherish her memory.

Order of Service

Processional............................................................................................................................................. Entrance of Family Scriptures........................................................................................................................................Pastor Derrick Anderson Old Testament.......................................................................................................................................Rev. Charlie Caswell New Testament.......................................................................................................................................Elder Keith Lofton Prayer.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Musical Selection........................................................................................................................................... Ms. Donna Ivy Expression Family/Friends (3 Minutes) Friends: The Sister Circle Pastor Dr. Roosevelt T. Joyner Proclamations.................................................................................. Dr. Joris M. Ray (Shelby County School Superintendent) Reflections...............................................................................................................................................Dr. Thomas Rogers Obituary (Read Silently) Acknowledgements......................................................................................................................................Shawn Williams Song...........................................................................................................................................................Mr. Kenny Lackey Eulogy............................................................................................................................................Pastor Derrick Anderson Recessional.........................................................................................................There will be no viewing following eulogy

Hand in hand we walked together, God’s grace warmed us from above.

It’s him that I thanked each day that I awakened for blessing me with all of your love.

You were the sunshine in my mornings as the birds outside would sing their song.

Throughout this life when I troubled, it was the God in you who kept me strong.

You were the wind beneath my wings as if an eagle about to take flight.

You were always the shining star that brighten up my sky in the darkness of the night.

The mother of my child and the air that gave me life.

My truest friend of all... my heart, my soul, and more importantly you were MY WIFE.

A Tribute to Our Daughter Dear God, please take care of our little girl, The one with big eyes and soft brown curls.

She was special, as you should know.

We really don’t want to let her go.

She touched the hearts of everyone she knew.

Letting her go is so hard to do.

Her smile could brighten up the darkest room.

We wish you didn’t have to take her so soon.

Could you sit and rock her and read her a story?

She’s probably afraid; please tell her don’t worry.

Tell her mommy and daddy loves her and wishes she could be here, But it won’t be for many more years.

She loves to sing all kinds of songs.

Please tell her that she did no wrong.

Would you comfort her and hold her in your arms tight?

And tell her she’ll be missed every day and night.

Please tell her she is loved so very dear.

We’ll say it every day for her to hear.

Her short life on earth is now completed For lessons I’m sure you felt we needed.

Tell her that we promise to see her again someday.

When that will be, we really can’t say.

We promise to make up for the time that’s passed, To hold her and comfort her in our arms at last.

We’ll Forever Love You Keiya, Mom & Dad

To Our Sister…

We’re blessed to call you sister, We also call you friend; You’ve loved us unconditionally, And stood through thick and thin.

You’ve shared our joys and sorrows, Our laughter and our tears.

You’ve been our inspiration, As we grew up through the years.

When we were little children We laughed and played together; Then growing up you stood by us, Through good and stormy weather.

There’s something God has given us, That’s more than family; He’s placed a love for you, our Sister, Deep down in the heart of me.

Notice of a Change of Address Miss Me but Let Me Go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, Why cry for a soul set free!

Miss me a little – but not for long And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me, but let me go.

For this journey that we all must take And each must go alone; It’s all a part of the Master’s plan A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know, And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me, but let me go.

Dear Family and Friends: Please be advised that I have moved. I received a call from God informing me that my new home was complete. Jesus Christ has given final approval, and it was only He I needed to see.

On April 11, 2021, my Father delivered me into my new residence. No surprises!

It is located on an exclusive estate behind a beautiful pearly gate. Of course, you know the streets are paved with gold and every day is Sunday, just like you have been told. The trees are filled with fruit and grace with God’s beauty to behold.

I’ll continue to have my talks with Jesus and thank Him for his love, and pray that you will join me in this beautiful place above. I have no more pain and heartache, no discontent or strife; just joy unspeakable joy every day in this new life. I dine at the Master’s bountiful table and listen to a heavenly choir; we rejoice and give God’s praises, each and every hour.

So, my family and friends, as I await your arrival here, just know that God does love you, stay strong and do not fear.

My new address is: Keiya Garrett 444 Pearly Gate Way Peacefulville, Heaven 88888 P.S. Remember, “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Acknowledgements

We the family of Keiya Solenya Garrett would like to extend our profound gratitude to the many friends and loved ones who have shown love and kindness during this very difficult time. Your visits, calls, cards, flowers, and other expressions of kindness will always be remembered. So please know that when our loss seemed too great, we looked up and our friends shared so many kind words both written and spoken. With faces smiling and hearts open, you comforted us and shared our grief. God will continue to bless us this we know and keep granting relief. Our gratitude cannot be adequately expressed with words, but they are the best that we can offer during this test. “Thank You” for lifting our clouds and letting the sun shine through.

The Garrett Family “What is broken can be mended. What hurts can be healed. No matter how hard it gets the Sun will rise again”.

Keiya S. Garrett

Honorary Pallbearers The Sister Circle Interment

Memphis Memorial Gardens 6444 Raleigh LaGrange Rd Memphis TN 38134

Pallbearers Darrius Jones

Ronald Shinault Marcus Rhymes Montrell Rogers

Professional Services M. J. Edwards Funeral Home 4445 Stage Rd Memphis, TN 38128

Sgt. Stephen Moore Charlie Caswell

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