Carrie Mae Garnes

Carrie M. DeBerry Garnes, age 91, transitioned peacefully from this life on July 4, 2014 at Zusman House of Wexner Heritage Village. She was born in Anson County, North Carolina. At a young age, she moved with her mother and sister to Columbus, Ohio and settled on the city’s South Side. Carrie was a 1942 graduate of Columbus South High School. Over the past 60 years, she served in leadership positions with many civic, social advocacy and political organizations including CMACAO, Women’s Charity Council, LaPetite Club and the local Democratic Party. In 1972, when the City of Columbus recommended that all the homes in the Reeb-Hosack area be torn down to make way for industrial development, Carrie and others with the Reeb-Hosack Planning Committee spearheaded the re-zoning of the area from commercial-industrial to residential and went on to press the city and federal government for funds to rehabilitate the area. A retiree of the Defense Construction Supply Center, she received many commendations and awards for her efforts to unite people to improve their circumstances and support by working together. She served on the Boards of Directors of the South Side Settlement, CMACAO, Old Southside Community Partnership, the Reeb-Hosack Area Planning Committee and was an ardent supporter of the Reeb-Hosack/Steelton Village Committee. Baptized at the Hosack Street Baptist Church at an early age, she was an active member and served as financial secretary and later as secretary. A charter member of the Reeb-Hosack Community Baptist Church, now Resurrection Missionary Baptist Church, she served as church secretary, secretary of the Naomi Missionary Society, and sang in the choir. Predeceased by parents, Henry and Florence DeBerry. She is survived by her devoted husband of 70 years, Harold L.; daughter, Donna Jean (Wiley) Bates; grandsons, Harold (Briggette) Bates of Cameron, NC; Leon Bates of Columbus, OH; Wiley Bates, III (Carla) of Frisco, TX; eight great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sister, Eunice H. Scott of Columbus; niece, Myra (Arthur) Syfax of Columbus; special family friends, Norma Ferguson and Charlotte Lawson; and many other family and friends. Homegoing Celebration 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Resurrection Missionary Baptist Church, 258 Hosack St., where her family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m., until the start of service. Pastor John S. Little, Eulogist. Interment Evergeen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Carrie M. Garnes Scholarship Fund for graduating students of South High School c/o of the Koinonia Development Corporation, 258 Hosack Street, Columbus, OH 43207.