Obituary of Jane W Garner

Jane Garner was born Jane Carol Woollerton to parents Jack and Edna Earl Woollerton on April 17, 1930 in Long Island City, NY. Her father Jack was a building contractor and brick mason and was working on several large projects in New York at the time of Jane's birth. Jane's father had immigrated from Nottinghamshire, England coming through Ellis Island, NY in the early 1900's along with many others looking to live and work in America. Mr. and Mrs. Woollerton raised two children, Jane and her older brother by two years, John. The family settled in Wilmington, NC where Jane's father built the home where she and her brother John grew up. When Jane was 19 she moved to Tampa, FL to pursue a career as a Nurse. She attended the University of Tampa and then nursing training and would later become the Head Registered Nurse in the Emergency Room at the Tampa General Hospital. Jane (Mom) would often describe in graphic detail the injuries she triaged in the ER and as reasons why, for example, the children didn't need a dirt bike or anything that could cause traumatic bodily injury! It would only be later that one of the children would sneak behind mom's back and buy a motorcycle only to keep it at a friend's house, so mom wouldn't find out! Jane's mother Edna Earl was a devout church member and was instrumental in introducing Jane to church and more importantly to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jane joined the First Baptist Church of Tampa near the University of Tampa where she attended college. Jane was active in church, signing in the choir and teaching young people in Sunday School. Her relationship with Christ would be a foundation which anchored her in good times and during struggles she encountered as a young adult and throughout her life. Alvin Garner was a young airman stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and would also join the First Baptist Church of Tampa where he met Jane in the church's youth group. The two began dating and would evetually marry in the church where they met. Alvin and Jane would continue to serve in various roles in church and in later years Jane was especially active in the Patrick Air Force Base chapel by typing many letters to those who could not make it to church and encouraging the sick or infirmed, and both served in the kitchen, and with Alvin often ushering. Jane and Alvin have now been married for 54 years! Alvin and Jane had four children, Elizbeth, Catherine, Brooks and Russell; each two years apart. Both parents were instrumental in the spiritual upbringing of their four children and with Jane being a military wife was often left alone to rear the children and manage the household and keep everything in order which she did without fail! Throughout her entire life Jane made it clear to her children and others that the most important thing one can do is to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and follow Him to best of one's ability. Jane understood the importance of salvation and challenged herself and her family to witness the Love of Christ to others who God put on their heart. Jane lived and loved the the simple message of salvation conveyed in verses such as Acts 16:30-31 where a Phillipian jailer asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved." And in John 1:12 where it reads,"But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." And in Romans 10:13, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Jane loved to think about what heaven must be like and loved verses such as John 14:2, "In my Father's house there are many rooms. If it were not so I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you." Rev 21:4, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 2 Cor 5:8, "Yes we are of good courage, and would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." While the family is very sad to have lost their wife and mother, they understand that Jane is now experiencing what all followers of Christ look forward to, the promise of Heaven and fellowship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!