Ruth Mae Garrett

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Ruth Mae Alexander Garrett was born on March 7, 1936, in Covington, Louisiana to O.B. Alexander and Gilda Ruth Davenport Alexander.

Ruth was a lifelong member of Doughty Chapel AME Church, where she faithfully served on the Stewardess Board for more than 37 years. she graduated from Rosenwald School in 1955 and later from the Human Resources Secretarial School of Loyola University in New Orleans in 1966. Ruth dedicated over 20 years of service to the St. Tammany Parish School System, retiring from Covington High School in 2003.

Her favorite pastimes included working crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, and planting flowers- simple joys that reflected her love of learning and nature.

On December 13, 2025, Ruth passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family, under the compassionate care of St. Catherine’s Hospice.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, O.B. Alexander, Jr., Rudolph Alexander, Sr. and Freddie J. Alexander, Sr.; four sisters, Rose Mary Fabre, Yvonne Crockett, Patricia Burton, and Brenda Jackson; and one grandson, Lloyd B. Garrett, Jr. and one granddaughter, Joanna Sutton.

She is survived by her five children; sons, Donald Garrett and Lloyd Garrett (Heide); daughters, Sandra Garrett, Brenette Garrett Allen (Eldridge), and Paulette Engram (Derek), all of Covington, Louisiana. She is also survived by four sisters: Zora L. Abbot, Carol L. Johnson, Willie M. Bradford, and Linda Baham, as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends and coworkers who will deeply miss her guidance, wisdom, and presence. Ruth leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion.

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