Norma Faye Garrett, 93
October 16, 1932 – June 21, 2026
Norma Faye Winborn Garrett met her Lord face to face on Sunday, June 21, 2026, while peacefully residing at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS. Her 93 years and eight months were filled with love, laughter, hard work, and dogged determination.
Throughout her 33 years in education, Norma was known for her commitment to excellence and an intense desire for her students to receive detailed instruction, learn self-discipline, and push themselves to do their absolute best. Former students who encountered her later in life often expressed that “she was the best teacher they ever had” which she always appreciated.
During her early years of retirement, she and her husband of almost forty years, Troy, enjoyed numerous trips with Barkley Travel Service including a three- week cross country excursion during which Mr. Troy said was “just one week too long.” His unexpected passing in 1995 left her with an immeasurable void, but she persevered as she always did in the face of sadness and uncertainty.
Norma was born October 16, 1932, in Union County, the middle child of Harvey Franklin Winborn and Ila Cleo Bynum Winborn. She attended Tippah-Union School through the tenth grade after which time her family moved to New Albany where she finished high school. Norma was not happy to leave her longtime friends, but it was at New Albany High School that she met Connie Johnson, who became her best friend and future sister-in-law. She went on to graduate from Northeast MS Junior College, received her Bachelor’s Degree from MUW and later finished her Master’s Degree from Ole Miss. She began her elementary teaching career in Greenville, MS, where after one year, Mr. Troy went to get her, brought her back to New Albany and married her on August 25, 1955. She taught before moving to Memphis for two years. Upon her return, she taught in the New Albany School system until her retirement.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother Harvey Winborn, his wife Connie, and her sister Anita Pernell.
Those left to love and cherish her memories are the following:
Son-Rick and his wife, Shelia Bryant Garrett, their children, Matthew Garrett and partner Brandon Blount, Rebecca Slay and her husband Tony, with their son Rowan. Son-Mark Garrett and his wife Cathy, their children, Daniel Garrett and wife Lauren Fair Garrett, their sons, Ruff, Cooper, and Lawrence, Ben Garrett and wife Emily Armstrong Garrett, their daughters, Gracie and Rylee, and Stephen Garrett and wife Emily Draffen, and their daughter Clementine. Nieces-Jackie Verrell (John), their son Hank (Meghan); Alana Winborn Walters (Wayne), and Deann Winborn and partner Karen Grove. She also leaves behind those she loved like family; Annette Hickey (John), their sons, Jack (Ivy) and children John Malcolm, Elizabeth, and sweet baby on the way; Sam (Mary Kate), daughter Hollis, and sweet little sister on the way.
In addition to immediate family, she leaves cousins whom she loved and cherished, her First Baptist Church family, and her Sunday School Class whose members and teachers she adored.
The family would like to express tremendous gratitude to the staff of Sanctuary Hospice House for their outstanding care and love, to Doris Daniel, for her support and friendship, and the outpouring of love and visits from the community and her church family.
Services to honor her life will be Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11:00 am, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am. There will also be a visitation on Thursday evening beginning at 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and all times will be at United Funeral Service. Pastor Andrew Chesteen and Pastor Stanley Huddleston will officiate. Burial will be at Glenfield Memorial Gardens.
United Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with these services.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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