Johnnie Ray Garrett

Johnnie Ray Garrett, age 68 passed away peacefully on Friday morning, March 5, 2021 at his home in Nashville.

Johnnie was born June 27, 1952, in Louisville, Kentucky to his parents Jasper Nathan and Jo Ann (Lambert) Garrett. He was a 1970 graduate of Iroquois High School in Louisville and attended Sullivan’s Business College. Johnnie served as a medical corpsman from 1972-1974 with the United States Army.

Johnnie was the Food Service Director at Cornerstone Inn in Nashville since 2014. He was also a chef at Smith’s Row in Columbus for 12 years. Johnnie was a very notable chef, known for many dishes, but he especially enjoyed making delicious Italian meals. He will be remembered most for his excellent food, love of people and love of life.

Johnnie was a member of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and the Moose Lodge # 398 both in Columbus. In his free time, he enjoyed gambling, playing Bingo and playing black jack at the casinos. Johnnie also enjoyed taking care of his animals: Molly June, Gracie Jo and Sox Kitty Kitty.

He will be missed by his husband, Benjamin Watkins, whom he married on June 27, 2014 in Nashville. He will also be missed by his brother Joseph Nathan (Julie) Garrett of Winter Garden, Florida, his sister, Vickie Lynn (Paul) Garrett-Buti of Valrico, Florida; several nieces and nephews; great-nephew Grant, as well as many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Jasper Garrett and Jo Ann Marston, and a brother: David Wayne Garrett.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Saturday, August 21st from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Columbus Moose Lodge: 330 8th Street in Columbus. Friends and family are welcome to enjoy food, fellowship and share their favorite memory of Johnnie. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home in Morgantown. Johnnie will be laid to rest at Christiansburg Cemetery in Brown County. 

Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Johnnie to the Indiana AIDS Fund, Inc: 429 East Vermont Street, Suite 400 Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 or to the American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org or to IndyPride: 3733 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.meredith-clark.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Johnnie Ray Garrett, please visit our floral store.