Johnnie Jerome Garris, 85, the son of Sylvester and Maggie Johnson Garris, was born on Sunday, March 4, 1928 in East Hastings, FL. From early childhood, he was a member of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Hastings. Being honored to reside in "Garrisville," he attended the Hastings Vocational Training School and subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army. Johnnie graciously served our Nation from December 28, 1945 with tours of duty in Italy and Germany, attaining the rank of Technician Fifth Grade. He earned the Army of Occupation and the World War II Victory Medals and was honorably discharged on November 26, 1947. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was united in Holy Matrimony to the former Martha O'Neal on April 15, 1950 at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Hastings. Johnnie amazingly started a lifelong career of driving at the age of 14. In June 1951, the family relocated to New York City. He was employed as a security officer by Berkliff Undergarment in Harlem, NY and later was a Nursing Assistant (Orderly) at New York State Hospital. An awesome "chauffeur," he was a longtime commercial truck driver and a tour bus operator. Johnnie was a handyman, carpenter, mechanic, and a professional Grade A, #1 trucker who safely navigated throughout the continental United States. Johnnie recognized his lifetime passion and ultimately became owner/operator of Garris Transport. Over the years, he humbly assisted his beloved wife, Martha ("Mama") annually by setting up the Port Kent summer camps. In the 1970s, he devoted his expertise to assist in the building of Church of God by Faith, Long Island Avenue, Wyandanch, L.I., NY, and also faithfully served as a lead usher under the leadership of Elder A. J. Williams. In 1977, upon retirement, the Garris family returned to Florida, briefly residing in Tampa and Palatka before returning to his beloved hometown Hastings and Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in eternal rest by his daughter, Chandra Garris; 7 siblings, Elouise, Thomas, Harold, Samuel, Levi, Leroy, and Susan Garris. To cherish his memories: wife, Martha O'Neal Garris, Hastings; daughters, Monica (Joseph) Spruill, Clayton, NC; Thalia (Vincent) Lightbourne, Peget, Bermuda; Cynthia Ferguson (Jeffery Slater), North Babylon, NY; siblings, Sylvester Garris, Meherrin, VA; Donna Johnson, Bradenton; Iona West, Miami; Tony Campbell, Tonya Jackson, both of East Palatka; 5 grandchildren,Christal (Anthony) Harding; Johnny Garris, Jr., Jaycee (Shannon) Spruill; Rachael Wills (Daryll) Grice, LaChandra (James) Bellamy; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, August 9 at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Homegoing Celebration will be 4 p.m. Saturday, August 10 at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 317 Daniels Street, Hastings, Reverend Rick Torrence, Pastor, presiding. Bishop A. J. Williams, Hilltop Citadel Christian Center, Haines City, is the eulogist. Interment with Military Honors will be in Resthaven Cemetery, San Mateo.