Leola Manor Garrard, 99, passed away peacefully at home in Norphlet, AR on November 10, 2024. Born August 7, 1925 in Norphlet to Lydia Bullock Burson and Larkin Graham, Leola attended Smackover schools and worked for McMillan Oil where she met lifelong friends.
Leola was predeceased by her first husband, Douglas H. Manor, her mother Lydia Burson, brothers, Issac “Ike” Burson (Gussie), George Burson (Alene), and Arnie Burson (Wilma); sisters Oma Hayes (Buster); and Gladys Parker.
She is survived by her and Douglas’s twin daughters, Catherine Manor Noyes (Art) of Norphlet and Colleen Manor Costello of Crandall, TX. She has two grandsons, Kevin Costello (Christina), Scott Costello (Brandi) and three great-grandchildren, Hannah, Ava, and Kole Costello, all of Texas, and a very special grand-dog, Max; her nieces and nephews Billy Joe Burson (Suzy), Randy Burson (Janie), Barbara Murphy, Sammy Parker (Sue), Connie Rogers, Jerry Parker (Margaret), Joan Burson, Beth Barnhardt, Paul Long (Marsha) and David Long (Cathy).
In 1972, Leola married George O. Garrard of Magnolia (deceased 2017), and her family expanded to include her stepdaughter, Twana Garrard McDaniel (Greg) of Magnolia, granddaughter Nikisha McDaniel Conner (Len) of Dallas, TX, and great-grandson Kaden Conner. Living in Magnolia 43 years, she was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Welcome Wagon and numerous bridge clubs. In 2017, she returned to Norphlet. Although she claimed a Baptist heart, she faithfully attended the Norphlet Methodist Church until this year when she moved to Dumas Methodist Church.
Through the ups and downs, she retained her sense of humor and never lost the mischievous twinkle in her blue eyes. She is simply unforgettable.
Leola took pride in her role as a mother, being actively involved in every aspect of her twins’ lives, from serving as a home-room mom, chaperone for hayrides and pizza parties, the ‘neighborhood mom’ to a circle of kids, and teaching classes at Norphlet Baptist Church for 25 years. She never missed a sporting event or performance, making sure to be there for every milestone. She also shared the wisdom of knives and forks in chinkapin seeds, snow ice cream, ice skating in rubber boots, and how to get eight kids in the back seat for $1 drive-in-movie night. She instilled the lessons of respect for family and the elderly, kindness to all people and the importance of friendships at all ages and stages of life.
Leola and Twana enjoyed ‘junkin’, shopping, fishing, going to the farm, and the annual dance recitals. She had a quick wit, a lively curiosity, and would beat you in dominoes or canasta on any given day.
She had a special BFF, Laprino “Lulu” Hempstead, whose companionship and domino-playing skills brought joy to Leola's days. She loved to reminisce and giggle with her niece Barbara Murphy “Boots” who lovingly called her by a childhood name, Sang. We promised to mention her ‘adopted family’ Grandpa, Amy, Ty, Lou, Tim, Caleb, and Georgia—and the adventures they brought daily into her living room.
A service to celebrate Leola's life will be at Dumas Methodist Church, November 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm. (132 South Wyatt Drive, El Dorado AR) Visitation with family and friends is 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Samaritan's Purse or to KidsNGolf.org in her name.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for Leola’s family.
_bu.png)
