Carol Ann Garner

Carol Ann Hansen Garner, of Oakland, TN passed away peacefully at the age of 90, on the morning of Friday, August 14, 2026, following a brief illness. Carol was born in San Francisco, CA to the late Helen and Otto Hansen. 

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Garner. Carol married Jesse in 1954 in San Mateo, CA, while Jesse was in the Navy. They moved back to Jesse’s home Olla, Louisiana, when Jesse was discharged from the Navy. Carol and Jesse lived in several towns in south Louisiana while he worked in the oil industry before settling down in Jena, LA. and eventually New Iberia, LA, before moving to Oakland, TN in 2000. She was a homemaker and a longtime secretary for several State Farm agents before retiring. She made lifelong friends in Oakland. She loved “cow patties” (apple fritters) and diet cokes from Sonic. She lived in her cottage on the property of Debbie and Chris for many happy years. She loved her outings with friend Maureen to visit their friend Becky. She loved her neighbor Gail, who would bring her cake and shopped for her. She always had visitors, which is a testament to how much she was loved. We are thankful for her church family at Christ Presbyterian Church who visited and that kept her in their thoughts and prayers. Her health required that she move to NHC in Somerville in May following a hospital stay. She was surrounded by friends, nurses and aides that brightened her days. She was always thankful for the love, care and compassion from the staff at NHC, as was her family. We were blessed by everyone at NHC. I am also very thankful to Carolyn Morgan, who cared for my mother so lovingly. 

Carol was the oldest of five sisters and is survived by sisters Linda (Rolf) Bausch and Sarah (Byron) Lemmon. She was preceded in death by sisters Marion and Pat. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was especially close to Leslie, who faithfully called her every night. 

Carol is survived by her children Debbie (Chris) Clark (Oakland, TN), Steve (Dede) Garner (Moss Bluff, LA) and Susan Alfano (Houston, TX) 

Grandchildren surviving and loved by Nana are Jessica (Jon), Ben (Meghan), Kate (Andrew), Jon (Angie), Travis, Kevin (Ashley), Frankie (Kandace), Chelsea, Claire (Ben) and Seth. 

Great-Grandchildren who were also loved my Nana are Avery, Camden, Mallory, Hayden, Tara, Nathan, Caleb, Sloane, Mae Wheaton, Davis, Amelia, Landon, Lyla, Aurelia, Wilson and Warren. 

A Celebration of Life for Ms. Garner will be held at 2 Saturday afternoon, September 12, 2026, at Christ Presbyterian Church in Somerville, TN with interment following at Fayette County Memorial Park on Highway 64. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until 2:00PM at the church.

Donations in Carol’s memory can be made to St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, TN or to Christ Presbyterian Church of Somerville.