Obituary of Billy Dean Garrett

Billy Dean Garrett passed away peacefully at his home on the shores of Lake Murray on March 6, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born February 24, 1935, in Greenville, SC. He was the son of the late John Dennis Garrett and Eugenia Cunningham Garrett. He was a graduate of Taylors High School, received an AA degree from North Greenville University, a Bachelor’s of Art Degree from Furman University, and a Master’s of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee.

While still in high school he joined the SC National Guard and while attending Furman University he joined the US Army Reserves and served for 12 years. He loved his country and was proud to have served in that capacity. He also loved music and sang with the Furman Singers and later in church choirs. Most recently he sang with the Legacy Choir at Lexington Baptist Church, Lexington, SC.

During his career as a Social Worker and Administrator, he served as a Greenville County Department of Social Services Child Welfare Worker, Social Worker and Supervisor at the South Carolina State Hospital, Greenville District Supervisor of Adult Services, and Director of the Adult Services Division at the SC State Department of Social Services. He was instrumental in getting the first Adult Protective services law passed in SC in an effort to protect senior citizens of SC. He was also the Director of the Social Services Department with the Greenville Hospital System for a number of years. During this time, he completed a one year study in Hospital Administrators Management Improvement Program at Duke University. He retired after 30 years of employment with the State of SC. At the time of his retirement he was Director of the Division of Contracts and Grants at the South Carolina State Health and Human Services Finance Commission in Columbia, SC. He loved living on Lake Murray an enjoyed many hours on the water with his family and friends.

He is survived by the love of his life, India Beacham. They met while they were attending Furman University and have been married for 61 years. He is also survived by a son, William Gregory “Greg” (Debi) Garrett; two grandchildren, India Alyse (Chanler) Bullard, and Jacob Paul (Ashley) Garrett. They have on great grandson, William Duvall “Will” Bullard. He is predeceased by two infants, Stephanie Dawn, and Russel Eugene Garrett who are buried at East North Street Baptist Church Cemetery in Greenville, SC and his brother, Larry Austin Garrett.

A service will be held at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be held at 12:00 noon that same day at the funeral home with a committal service to follow at Elmwood Cemetery at 2:30 pm. In accordance with CDC guidelines all guests are asked to practice social distancing and to please wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation or Agape Hospice. A special thanks to the Agape Hospice staff who have provided excellent in home care.