Clarice Helvenston Garrett's Obituary
Funeral services for Dr. Clarice Helvenston Garrett, 88, will be held at 2 PM Saturday, February 15, 2003 at the First Christian Church of Tatum with the Reverend Jim Rawlins officiating. Burial will be in Tatum Cemetery under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Friday at the funeral home.
Dr. Garrett was born in Tatum, Texas, on April 7, 1914, to Effie and Alan Nowlin Helvenston. After graduating from Tatum High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Stephen F. Austin State University. After twenty years of teaching in Tatum, Dr. Garrett earned a second B. S. degree in vocational home economics from North Texas State University in Denton; a Master of Arts degree in clothing and textiles, with emphasis on apparel design, from Michigan State University; and a Ph.D. degree in textiles and clothing from Pennsylvania State University. She also did post graduate work in fashion merchandising and design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Dr. Garrett joined the faculty of Texas Women?s University in Denton in 1960, as an associate professor of fashion and textiles, working in apparel design research and as supervisor and director of graduate student research. She served on various committees within the College of Nutrition, Textiles and Human Development and on the self-study committee for developing interdisciplinary curricula. Dr. Garrett served as president of the advisory board of the American Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing and as session moderator of the association?s central region. In 1983, Texas Women?s University presented Dr. Garrett with the Cornora Award for excellence in teaching. Nominated for the award by a committee of her peers at TWU, Dr. Garrett was described by former students and colleagues as the epitome of the master teacher and as a teacher who dedicated her life to her students. Dr. Garrett also served as president of the Denton County Home Economists, and designed costumes for the Denton Community Theater, served as judge of apparel contests for Women?s Federated Clubs and presented fashion shows to Denton women?s clubs and organizations. Dr. Garrett retired from TWU in 1989.
Dr. Garrett is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Lois Helvenston of Longview; one nephew, Jack York of Tatum; three nieces, Sue Stilley of Wichita Falls, Kathy Williams of Hot Springs, and Kay Ray of Longview.
Dr. Garrett was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Garrett; her parents; and her sisters, Evelyn Helvenston York and Kathleen Helvenston all of Tatum.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer?s Alliance of Northeast Texas, 3613 S. Broadway, Suite 401, Tyler, Texas 75701; the First Christian Church of Tatum, P.O. Box 1081, Tatum, TX 75691; or to the Tatum Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1081, Tatum, TX 75691.
Sign memorial guest book at www.raderfh.com.
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