Beverly Jean (Hollingsworth) Garner

Our lovely mother and grandmother, Beverly Jean Hollingsworth Garner, passed away July 20, 2020 at 84 years of age, at her home in Cañon City Colorado, surrounded by her family who loved her dearly.

Beverly was born August 9, 1935 in Trinidad, Colorado to Gertrude and Clarence Hollingsworth and grew up in the Trinidad and Hoehne area. Bev eloped to Raton, New Mexico with Elmer Garner on March 23, 1952, before he went into the United States Marine Corps. They had four children, Carol, born in 1953, Larry, born in 1956, Kelly, born in 1959 and JoLea, born in 1960. 

Beverly went to nursing school in Trinidad, Colorado and became an LPN in 1962. She loved nursing and found it a place of joy in serving and fulfillment, but later decided that it would be better to stay home with her children than to be out in the workforce. After her children were raised, she went back to college and loved that as well. She found great pleasure in education, loved to read, and spent many hours writing journal pages. She wrote many pages in communication with Heavenly Father as her deepest prayers. 

While living in Leadville, Colorado, Bev and Elmer met the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They Joined the Church in 1962 which has created a legacy of faith and service for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many others. 

After following Elmer with his power line construction work for a few years, the family moved to Cañon City in 1967. Beverly found much to do in her new community, including mentoring and tutoring children in the school district.  She became involved in the 4-H dog training program, eventually becoming the leader of the club for over 40 years and touching many lives during that time. Her love of animals, especially her dogs, was evident in the care she took in teaching a new generation how to love and train their own animals. There was never a dog more loved than one who lived in her home.

Bev’s greatest joy was in serving and making a difference to others. She raised her grandchildren, Brandi and LJ, as well as her sister’s children, Jeanne and Bud, for more than six years. Beyond that, there have been many children she took under her wing who knew the love of a mother, friend, aunt and confidant from Beverly. One of many examples of this service was through the Boy Scouts of America program, where Bev served on the board of directors for many years. She worked with and encouraged many young men, including her grandson, Kyle, to earn the badges and perform the service necessary to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer; son, Kelly; two sisters, Sandy and Shirley; and brothers, Bud and Robby.

Bev is survived by her brothers, Rodger (Patricia) Hollingsworth, Sam (Anna) Hollingsworth, Terry (Cynthia) Hollingsworth; children, Carol (Keith) Capps, Larry (Alta) Garner, JoLea Johnson; the grandchildren she raised, Brandi Garner, LJ (Melanie) Garner; niece and nephew she raised, Bud (Andrea) Connor and Jeanne Connor; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends who depended on her love and support. The holes in our hearts are only filled by the knowledge that we will see her again one day! Our family is so grateful to LJ, whom Mom considered a son and his wife, Melanie, for the years and most recent months of caring for our Mom. We also wanted to send a special thank you to Sangre de Cristo Hospice for their excellent care.

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