John Riley Garland, 63, of Elizabethton, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, from the Johnson City Medical Center. John was born in Washington County, Tenn., to the late J.R. Garland and Florine Julian Garland.
John had worked as an analytical chemist for GlaxoSmithKline and was a member of Poplar Grove Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 44 years, Frankie Stump Garland, of the home; two sons, John Robinson Garland, of St. Louis, Mo., and Stephen Frank Garland and wife Brandy, of Gray, Tenn.; his grandchildren, David, Daniel and Rose Garland, all of St. Louis, Mo.; and a sister, Martha Whaley and husband, D.L., of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of John Riley Garland will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 5, at Poplar Grove Baptist Church of Elizabethton. Music will be under the direction of the church choir, David Whaley, soloist, and Edwin Taylor. The family will receive friends at the church from 4:30 until 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, or at his residence at other times. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, October 6, in the Garland Cemetery. Music will be provided by Dale Williams, soloist. Active pallbearers will be Dewey Whaley, David Whaley, Zak Morris, Freddy Lee, John Peltier and Todd Ratliff. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Poplar Grove Baptist Church. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Poplar Grove Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Friday to go in procession. The family would like to express a special thanks to the doctors and staff of the 4500 Wing of Johnson City Medical Center and Dr. Krishnan and staff of the Regional Cancer Center. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Garland Cemetery, C/O Martha Whaley, 2803 Highway 91, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Garland and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.