Jerry Reid Garris, 82, of Hamlet, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Richmond County Hospice Haven.
He was born Jan. 16, 1943 in Richmond County, son of the late Milton Robert Garris and Ruth Crouch Garris.
Jerry served our country in the United States Army. In his professional life, he worked alongside Sammy Whitley in construction, where he was deeply committed to his craft.
His greatest love was his late wife, Betty Garris. They began to construct plans to build a very nice home on Covington Street, Rockingham, where they enjoyed their years of happiness and family. In his later years, he resided at Hamlet House Assisted Living. Jerry was a fine man and well-respected. He will be dearly missed.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Lou Little Garris; sons, Steven Brewer and Edward Michael Brewer; brother, Milton Robert “Bob” Garris; and sisters, Hellon Mudd, Rae Clayton Morgan, Jean Griggs, Libby Taylor and Nancy White.
Jerry is survived by his loving daughter, Debra McIver, and husband Steve, of Hamlet; grandsons, Steven Reid McIver, Tracy Thomas McIver and Michael Jay Brewer; five great-grandchildren; and his brother, Abner Garris of Pinehurst.
Graveside services will be conducted on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Eastside Cemetery, Rockingham, with the Rev. Dr. Allison Farrah officiating. Burial will follow the service with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, 201 N. Randolph St., Rockingham, NC 28379; or Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N. U.S. Hwy. 1, Rockingham, NC 28379.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Garris family. Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
