"You are not forgotten, loved, nor will you ever be. As long as life and memory last, we will remember thee."

Ivory Lee Garrett was the fifth child of eleven born to the late Ivory Garrett and Erma Williams Garrett on April 18, 1960, in Sabine County, Texas.

Ivory graduated from Brookeland High School in 1978. He became a truck driver and was given the name "Key Man."

Ivory was a faithful, active member of Faith Temple Church under Bishop Ray C. Lewis. He always had a love for Christ and his Church. His interest, commitment, and devotion grew into his calling to serve on the Deacon Board, Board of Trustees, and with the Hospitality Committee. He loved his church family.

Ivory Garrett met and married his soulmate, Monica Horner, on August 22, 1998. Together their ministry began to grow beyond measure. He, along with his wife, Monica Garrett, were devoted foster parents for 27 years and fostered over 150 children. They received numerous awards, were nominated Foster Parents for the State of Texas, and were honored in Washington, D.C. His beautiful life will forever be remembered and celebrated by his loved ones as a life well lived.

Ivory enjoyed fishing, riding horses, driving trucks, logging, and cooking. Although he had many challenges in life, he persevered through them all. He was a fighter—strong in mind, body, and soul. He has moved to another place, and he leaves behind a legacy of joy and laughter to all who were blessed to know him.

On July 28, 2025, God sent His angels to take him home. He was preceded in eternal rest by his father, Ivory Garrett; mother, Erma Williams Garrett; sons, Idric Garrett and Jonathan Tukes; and siblings, Donnell Garrett, Lisa Garrett, and Calvin Garrett.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife of 27 years, Monica Garrett; children, Tenika McLemore (Wilbert), LaRhonda Garrett, DeCarlos Anderson (Seterria), Jermaine Anderson, Robert Garrett, Yyler Savoy, Taylor Savory, and Yasmany Valercia; siblings, Rita Hennington, Diane Mays, Jennifer Berry (Carlos), Autie Gasaway, Cornelia Garrett, Sharon Garrett, and Cassandra Garrett; grandchildren, LaKendria Kyles, JaKyree Kyles, Danyel Marks, Taylon Garrett, Tylon Garrett, Kyliecce Beatty, Ja'Miah McLemore, JaMya McLemore, Jade Anderson, Derrian Anderson, and DeCarlos Anderson, Jr.; and a host of foster children, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

We thank God for allowing Ivory to be in our lives, and though we will miss his presence, we know with certainty that being absent from the body is being PRESENT with the LORD.