Lashley Garnett

Mr. Lashley Gray Garnett, age 75 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Sunday, April 10, 2011, at Heisinger Bluffs where he had been a resident for four months. Lashley was born on a farm north of Centertown on June 7, 1935, the son of George L. and Annie Buckner Garnett. He was married on December 26, 1959, in Springfield, Mo., to Nina Jean Bench. He attended elementary school in Mud Creek and Rock Creek schools. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1953. He attended the Jefferson City Junior College, Hannibal LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo., and graduated from Louisiana Baptist College in Pineville, La. with a Bachelors of Arts Degree, with a major in music education in 1962. He later received his Masters of Education in August 1969 from the University of Missouri - Columbia. Lashley moved to Ava, Mo., where he taught music for two years. In 1964, he was employed by the Jefferson City Public Schools as an elementary teacher. He became the first principal of Cedar Hill Elementary School in 1970. Lashley then served as the Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Jefferson City School District from 1976 until his retirement on November 30, 1993 after serving Missouri schools for 31 years. Lashley's last building project as Director of Building and Grounds involved the construction of Thomas Jefferson and Lewis and Clark Middle Schools, plus additions and remodeling of the Simonsen Ninth Grade Center and several elementary schools. Lashley's passion was farming and after moving back to Jefferson City and Centertown, he farmed 235 acres, raising cattle and hay. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City where he was deacon emeritus. He served as chairman of the Building Committee during construction of the new sanctuary. He was also a member of the Jefferson City Rotary Club and the Lion's Club of Ava, Mo. He had served as a part-time music director at LeCompte, La., the Main Street Baptist Church in California, Mo., and Union Hill Baptist Church in Holts Summit, Mo. Survivors include: his wife of 51 years, Nina Garnett; one daughter, Lori Ann Reed and her husband Kerry; two grandchildren, Brady Gray Reed and Michaela Moore Reed; two sisters, Madeline Schneck of Tempe, Ariz. and Rose Thompson and her husband Marvin of Kansas City, Mo.; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Ravine Garnett; and one brother, Robert L. Garnett. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2011. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 15, 2011, at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Doyle Sager officiating. Interment will be at the Centertown Cemetery, Centertown, Mo. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Windermere Baptist Conference Center, Roach, Mo. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com