Mr. Bobby Zear Garrett, son of the late James H. Garrett, Sr. and Mattie Nesbitt Garrett, was born April 21, 1936 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He departed this life on Saturday, May 23, 2009.

He was a 1954 graduate of Atkins High School. After graduating, he attended Winston-Salem Teachers College (WSSU). He served in the United States Army from 1962-1965.

He attended Mount Zion Baptist Church.

He was the owner and manager of the former Garrett's Convenience Store, which was located on New Walkertown Road.

As an avid golfer, he was a member of The Winston Lake Senior Golf Association. He was an accomplished checker player and a member of the Piedmont Checker Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James Garrett, Jr.

Bobby leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 47 years, Barbara Dark Garrett; daughter, Ella Murchison-Lash (Adrian) of Pembroke, GA; granddaughter, LaTonya Cooper of Decatur, GA; great-grandchildren, Corae Davis and Alyssa Cooper of Decatur, GA; sisters-in-law, Mary Garrett of Low Gap, NC, Gloria Dark Bauman (Darryl) of Greensboro, NC, Amanda Dark Bell (Roy) of Reidsville, NC and Elsie C. Blackman of Winston-Salem, NC; brothers-in-law, Arthur O. Dark, Jr. (Linda), Augustus E. Dark and Gerald Mobley (Frances), all of Winston-Salem, NC; nieces, Wanda G. Peck (James), Gilda C. Moore, Delores D. Carter of Winston-Salem, NC, Christie D. Pearson of Owings Mills, MD, Jessica Bauman-Hilliard (Gary) of McLeansville, NC, Jermain Sumler-Faison (Michael) of Conyers, GA, Dr. Marta Dark McNeese (Dwayne) of Atlanta, GA, Kris Dark of Winston-Salem, NC, Norma B. Martin (Jarvis) of Durham, NC and Jackie B. Collins (Dr. Terrance) of Bowie, MD; nephews, James Garrett III (Seneca) of Alpharetta, GA, Charles Garrett (Pastor Ann) of Whiteville, NC, Michael Smith, of Badin, NC, Keith Sherard (Keely) of Winston-Salem, NC, Doug Bauman of Topeka, KS, Dr. Cedric Dark of Washington, DC and Kerry Dark of Atlanta, GA. He also leaves a devoted cousin, Ellis Mack and a host of great-nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon Friday, May 29, 2009 at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 950 File Street, with Dr. Serenus T. Churn Sr., Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held at 11:30 AM until 12:00 Noon on Friday at the church.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Karen Cross and the medical staff at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Winston-Salem, NC.

The family can be contacted at the home.