George Wesley Garner, age 67, of Magnolia passed away at Forrest General Hospital on July 6, 2018.  He was born December 19, 1950 in New Iberia, LA to parents Alva Curtis Garner, Jr. and Norma Jean Brumfield Garner. He lived in several places and attended many schools growing up in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, California, and eventually graduated from high school in Oklahoma City, OK. He enjoyed spending his summers in downtown Walker's Bridge and eventually called it home. He attended LSU in New Orleans, LA, Pearl River Junior College in Poplarville, MS, and The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS.

George taught high school math at McComb High School for several years, then branched out into several careers including tomato farmer and co-owner of Sweetwater Canoe Rentals. Later, he launched his career as a self-taught and self-proclaimed computer weenie and part time math tutor to many.  He enjoyed spending time on Love Creek and Bogue Chitto River with family and friends, drawing and painting, cooking ribs and gumbo, being outdoors, and catching up with everyone in town. He never met a stranger and he invested in the lives of so many. His personality radiated light and warmth to all he encountered, and he was always known to share a joke, or several, anywhere he went. He certainly had a gift of story-telling and enjoyed passing along family tales. For the last five years, he's most enjoyed being a Papaw.

He was an active member of Silver Creek Baptist Church where he was the church treasurer. He was also an active member of the NRA and an honorary member of the Exxon Annuitant Club. He was a former Jaycee.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alva Curtis Garner, Jr. and Norma Jean Brumfield Garner, by his brother, Charles "Chuck" Garner and step-brother Keith "Hunter" Sumrall. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol Smith Garner, daughters Adrienne Garner and Emily McLain, son-in-law Neal McLain, step-mother Jerry Sumrall Garner, step-brother Dana Sumrall and family, nephew Seth Garner, niece Amy Garner, and two grandchildren, Mitchell Jace McLain and Wesley Callen McLain, and a slew of friends he considered as family.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of George Garner on Saturday, July 14 at Silver Creek Baptist Church, 8017 Silver Drive, McComb, MS 39648. Visitation will be from 1-3 pm, followed by a brief service at 3 pm. Meal and fellowship will follow for all who wish to stay. Dress comfortably as his favorite attire was jeans and a pocket tee. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of George Garner to the Baptist Children's Village at P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060-0027 or to the Feed My Sheep Ministry at Silver Creek Baptist Church.