Rae M Garmon

Rae Dunn Garmon, 68, passed into the arms of Jesus in the presence of her family on a quiet and peaceful Sunday evening, November 7, 2021 at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Rae was born May 12, 1953 to loving parents Raymond and Lovy Dunn. She was the eldest of 5 inseparable siblings: David (Linda) Dunn, Kathy Dunn, Terri (Joey) Short, and Beth (Lee) Campbell. Rae and her siblings traveled the world with their parents while their father was active duty in the Air Force before the family ultimately settled down in Niceville, Florida. She was a proud 1971 graduate of Niceville High School. After high school, Rae started what became a long and rewarding career as a Personnel Management Specialist for the United States Air Force Civil Service. She met and married former husband Steve Garmon and they had 3 children: Lisa Marie Garmon (deceased), Angela (Andrew) Dunn, and Christopher (Tara) Garmon while also caring for her step-son Derrick (Sarah) Garmon. After more traveling her heart eventually brought her back to Niceville, Florida where she reconnected with former high school sweetheart Winfred Henderson and spent over 25 years in a loving partnership during which time they had the opportunity to raise four grandchildren in their home – Blake, Glenn, Joey, and Celee.

Rae loved her family and regularly gave of herself in grand and selfless ways. It was important for her to pass on her own strong work ethic, her Christian faith, and life skills in creative ways – the grandkids learned to sew and cook at “Camp Granny and Papa.” Her kids learned to pitch a tent, survive a sunburn, and pick up scallops with their toes every summer at Cape San Blas.  She was a master of organizing activities and arts and crafts and always had her next treat planned.  Most of all, she was happiest when surrounded by children and was most proud of the accomplishments of her children as well as her 17 grandchildren (Bailey, Joshua, Blake, Brianna, Abigail, Glenn, Joey, Madison, Celee, David, Spence, Eve, Davis, Margaret, Alice, Maybree and William), 1 great grandchild (Jackson), nieces and nephews (Charles Richard Short, Nick (Alison) Dunn, Krissy Dunn, Jonathan (Jenny) Campbell, and Shelley Campbell).

Rae was a lifetime girl scout, incorporating the ideals of serving God and country and helping people at all times into her daily life. She carried on the family tradition after participating as a young girl and later led troops for both her daughter Angela and granddaughter Celee. She loved empowering girls and building confidence and resilience – all while having a little fun!

Rae’s house was always open with plenty of food – everyone had a seat or a warm spot to rest, and nothing was ever an inconvenience. She loved hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve (aka Fred’s Birthday Party) and staying up late laughing with friends around the table. She learned later in life how to be a great cook (thank you Fred) but her true love was canning and preserving as evidenced by a garage full of canned vegetables, figs, and boiled peanuts.

Rae was no stranger to adversity especially in her last years of life following a diagnosis of progressive liver failure as well as the loss of the love of her life, Fred, just over a year prior to her death. Despite this she never wavered and remained steadfast in her faith finding comfort in the promise of eternal life given by God through the gift of Jesus Christ. She loved reading God’s word and listening to worship music.  

Her life will be celebrated by family and friends on November 12, 2021 with visitation at 945am followed by a service at 11am at Church on Bayshore in Niceville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the American Liver Foundation, which can be brought to the service or mailed to Church on Bayshore, 622 Bayshore Drive, Niceville, FL 32578.

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