Mary Margaret Garrison, 87, of Johnston City, Illinois, passed away Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, at her family home.  Services in Murman and Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City with the Rev. Gordon Lantrip officiating. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion.

Margaret was born on May 27, 1919, in Saline County, the daughter of J.H. and Lillian (Booten) Garrison.

Margaret was a retired school teacher, having taught for 41 years. She taught at Herrin High School for 18 years, East Richland High School in Olney for seven years, Vocational Technical Institute of SIU for 14 years, and Illinois Central College in Peoria for two years. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Johnston City.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Shirley Garrison of Arlington Heights; a nephew, Scott Garrison and his wife, Lori, of Lake Zurich; a niece, Julie Gaines and her husband, George, of Kenilworth; nephews, Brian Garrison and his wife, Pat, of Carey, Jeremy Garrison of Fla. and Eric Garrison of Ariz.; and special lifelong friend, Bill Kemper of Johnston City.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Jim T. Garrison.

Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL) - Wednesday, December 27, 2006