Family Group Sheet
Family Group Sheet
NameRobert Page Garrett
Birth25 Nov 1929, Saginaw, Saginaw Co., MI, USA
Marriage9 Jun 1951, Saginaw, Saginaw Co., MI, USA
SpouseCharlene Frances Paige
Birth13 Apr 1930, Jackson, Jackson Co., MI, USA
FatherHoward Oswald Paige (1909-1994)
MotherJennie Louise Barnes (1908-2003)
Children
1 M(Private)
2 F(Private)
3 F(Private)
4 F(Private)
Notes for Robert Page Garrett
As of May, 2003-
Robert is a Methodist Minister (retired). Some of the places where he was assigned to minister over the years included: Lexington, Kentucky; Saugatuck (twice), Hillman, Saginaw (twice), Dixboro, Port Austin area (twice), Elkton, Blissfield, and Cass City, Michigan.
About half way through Bob's career he served three churches in and around Port Austin for about twenty years before transferring to the Blissfield, MI, U.M.E. Church, where he "retired" in June, 1994. However, full retirement was postponed as Bob helped with the 1995 merger between two churches in Cass City, MI. The result of the merger would be a new church built for the combined congregations. With completion of the merger, and still wanting to stay in the ministry, Bob took up the role as visiting pastor for the Elkton United Methodist church in Elkton, MI, where his daughters Connie and Laura were married by him. It wasn't long before a vacancy occurred in the Port Austin Protestant ministry, to which Bob was assigned on an "interim" basis. Eventually, a replacement minister was hired and Bob returned to retirement, but not before he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a Methodist minister.
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The following article by Heather Jensen, Tribune Staff Writer, appeared in the RELIGION section of the "Huron Daily Tribune," Wednesday, February 23, 2000:
"GARRETT RETURNS TO HIS UPPER THUMB PULPIT, HOME
"PORT AUSTIN -- He's back. After several attempts at retirement, the Rev. Robert Garrett has returned to his home of 21 years -- the pulpits at the Port Austin United Protestant Church and the Pinnebog and Grindstone United Methodist churches. And he and his wife have returned to what they call home.
"'When you're in ministry you move around so much it's hard to find a place you call home,' said Charlene Garrett. 'But coming back here there is a real feeling of home.'
"Garrett worked for 21 years at the three Upper Thumb churches and served as the auxiliary chaplain for the Air Force base in Port Austin. He moved to Blissfield and retired six and a half years ago, but that was short-lived. One day in fact. 'They are having a shortage of ministers, so we are trying to help out,' Garrett said. 'Besides, we love it, working with people.'
"Garrett found himself back in the Thumb helping to merge the Trinity and Salem United Methodist churches in Cass City. From there Garrett spent a whopping two weeks in retirement before returning to God's work as the visitation minister at the Elkton United Methodist Church. In January, Garrett returned to his post at the Port Austin, Pinnebog and Grindstone churches as interim minister.
"Although when Garrett looks into the congregation Sunday mornings to see many of the same people who attended the church during his previous appointment, many of them are in different positions. 'The teenagers are now leaders in the church,' Garrett said. 'A lot of the older folks have died, but the younger kids have grown up.'
"His wife agreed the move back was a smooth one, but she sees an expanded ministry for her in the Upper Thumb now that her children are grown. 'It's easy because we don't have to get acquainted with the congregation,' Charlene said. 'You can start right in doing the Lord's work.'
"Culture, demands and norms have changed in the United States, but Garrett said from the pulpit he implemented a series of small changes through the years keeping up with the times. But with changes in families, new needs are evident to the couple. 'I can see needs really clearly now that I didn't see before,' Charlene said. 'We can work together now because our children are married and gone. I see some real needs and some possibilities for ministry.'
"The couple also sees this as an opportunity to accomplish some of the goals set in previous years with the churches. They also see a lot of promise for the future of Huron County and the country. 'A lot of people are saying we are no longer a Christian country,' Charlene said. 'That is not true. There are a whole lot more people making commitments to Christ out there, and it is going to continue. I just have the biggest hope in the world.'
"Rev. Garrett agrees and said not only kids, but adults, are moving on the path God has chosen. 'The church is on the move,' Garrett said. 'Things are happening in the county and around the world.'
"And regardless of how long this venture out of retirement lasts, there is no question that the man formerly referred to as the 'Bishop of the Thumb' will remain in the work of God for the rest of his days. 'We're enjoying the fact that we're back,' he said."
------------------------------
Bob was an Auxiliary Chaplain at the Port Austin Air Force Radar Station about ten years until the station was closed circa 1990 as part of the federal government's cut-back on military funding at the end of the cold war with Russia.
Robert is a Methodist Minister (retired). Some of the places where he was assigned to minister over the years included: Lexington, Kentucky; Saugatuck (twice), Hillman, Saginaw (twice), Dixboro, Port Austin area (twice), Elkton, Blissfield, and Cass City, Michigan.
About half way through Bob's career he served three churches in and around Port Austin for about twenty years before transferring to the Blissfield, MI, U.M.E. Church, where he "retired" in June, 1994. However, full retirement was postponed as Bob helped with the 1995 merger between two churches in Cass City, MI. The result of the merger would be a new church built for the combined congregations. With completion of the merger, and still wanting to stay in the ministry, Bob took up the role as visiting pastor for the Elkton United Methodist church in Elkton, MI, where his daughters Connie and Laura were married by him. It wasn't long before a vacancy occurred in the Port Austin Protestant ministry, to which Bob was assigned on an "interim" basis. Eventually, a replacement minister was hired and Bob returned to retirement, but not before he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a Methodist minister.
------------------------------
The following article by Heather Jensen, Tribune Staff Writer, appeared in the RELIGION section of the "Huron Daily Tribune," Wednesday, February 23, 2000:
"GARRETT RETURNS TO HIS UPPER THUMB PULPIT, HOME
"PORT AUSTIN -- He's back. After several attempts at retirement, the Rev. Robert Garrett has returned to his home of 21 years -- the pulpits at the Port Austin United Protestant Church and the Pinnebog and Grindstone United Methodist churches. And he and his wife have returned to what they call home.
"'When you're in ministry you move around so much it's hard to find a place you call home,' said Charlene Garrett. 'But coming back here there is a real feeling of home.'
"Garrett worked for 21 years at the three Upper Thumb churches and served as the auxiliary chaplain for the Air Force base in Port Austin. He moved to Blissfield and retired six and a half years ago, but that was short-lived. One day in fact. 'They are having a shortage of ministers, so we are trying to help out,' Garrett said. 'Besides, we love it, working with people.'
"Garrett found himself back in the Thumb helping to merge the Trinity and Salem United Methodist churches in Cass City. From there Garrett spent a whopping two weeks in retirement before returning to God's work as the visitation minister at the Elkton United Methodist Church. In January, Garrett returned to his post at the Port Austin, Pinnebog and Grindstone churches as interim minister.
"Although when Garrett looks into the congregation Sunday mornings to see many of the same people who attended the church during his previous appointment, many of them are in different positions. 'The teenagers are now leaders in the church,' Garrett said. 'A lot of the older folks have died, but the younger kids have grown up.'
"His wife agreed the move back was a smooth one, but she sees an expanded ministry for her in the Upper Thumb now that her children are grown. 'It's easy because we don't have to get acquainted with the congregation,' Charlene said. 'You can start right in doing the Lord's work.'
"Culture, demands and norms have changed in the United States, but Garrett said from the pulpit he implemented a series of small changes through the years keeping up with the times. But with changes in families, new needs are evident to the couple. 'I can see needs really clearly now that I didn't see before,' Charlene said. 'We can work together now because our children are married and gone. I see some real needs and some possibilities for ministry.'
"The couple also sees this as an opportunity to accomplish some of the goals set in previous years with the churches. They also see a lot of promise for the future of Huron County and the country. 'A lot of people are saying we are no longer a Christian country,' Charlene said. 'That is not true. There are a whole lot more people making commitments to Christ out there, and it is going to continue. I just have the biggest hope in the world.'
"Rev. Garrett agrees and said not only kids, but adults, are moving on the path God has chosen. 'The church is on the move,' Garrett said. 'Things are happening in the county and around the world.'
"And regardless of how long this venture out of retirement lasts, there is no question that the man formerly referred to as the 'Bishop of the Thumb' will remain in the work of God for the rest of his days. 'We're enjoying the fact that we're back,' he said."
------------------------------
Bob was an Auxiliary Chaplain at the Port Austin Air Force Radar Station about ten years until the station was closed circa 1990 as part of the federal government's cut-back on military funding at the end of the cold war with Russia.
Notes for Charlene Frances Paige
In May, 1948 Charlene "Char" (pro. Shar) was inducted into the National Honor Society, Saginaw, MI branch. The ceremony took place at Arthur Hill High School. Fourteen years later her sister Mary would also be inducted. A little more than fifty years and five months later Charleneís granddaughter Kelli Garrett would be similarly honored in 1998, followed by grandchildren Jason Hill and Mallory Garrett in AD 2000.
As of May, 2003-
Char worked at MI Bell Telephone for several years as an operator in the 1940s and 50s, and for a while when her family lived in Dixboro, Michigan. During her married life she also sold Avon products, which helped furnish their house with sales contest winnings. She published her first book of poems in 1992, titled "My Footprints." The book includes poetry from when she first started writing, at age ten, until 1990. Char's sister Mary and daughter Connie greatly assisted in the publication project's early stages.
------------------------------
The following is an article by Debbie Oglenski, Tribune Staff Writer, that appeared in the Huron Daily Tribune, published in Bad Axe, Michigan, July 2, 1992:
"FOOTPRINTS IN POETRY
"Book conveys a lifetime of memories
"PORT AUSTIN -- Charlene Paige Garrett began writing poetry as a child. 'I started writing poems when I was 10 years old. I wrote them on paper that divided hosiery,' Garrett said. Those papers, sent to Garrett by a relative, quickly were put to use. Fifty-two years later, Garrett's work is printed and bound under the title 'My Footprints.'
"The Blissfield resident is back in Port Austin -- a town she and her husband the Rev. Bob Garrett called home for over 20 years -- promoting her book. Garrett will be at the arts and crafts sale at the Port Austin Civic Center Friday from 2-7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. selling and autographing her book.
"The 127-page book contains 119 poems written by Garrett from her childhood until December 1990. 'There are a lot of Port Austin poems because we were there 21 years,' Garrett said. While living in Port Austin, Garrett belonged to a poetry club that met weekly at the United Protestant Church. Poet Dorothy Peterson led the group.
"Throughout her life, Garrett has used poetry to vent her feelings. 'When I was upset by social issues I definitely wrote a poem about them,' Garrett said. One is about a rat-infested tenement in Detroit, told through the eyes of a little boy in prayer. Another deals with Thanksgiving during World War II, when a radio announcer provoked her anger by declaring the holiday that year should be declared 'Blamesgiving Day.'
"The everyday conflicts and struggles of daily living and raising teenagers in the Port Austin area also are the basis of some of her poems. In contrast to the poems that helped Garrett constructively express her anger and frustrations are poems that profile the warm moments with family and a community like Port Austin.
"'Farewell and Thank You' sums up the sights, sounds and feelings of attachment that accumulated in living in one place for an extended period of time. The couple raised four children while in the area, and their ties to it remain strong. Two of the children live in the Thumb area -- Connie Smeader and Robert Garrett. Daughter Laura Hill married a man she met at the Port Austin Air Force Radar Station and now lives in Rome, N.Y., and another daughter, Sue Johnston, lives in Ridgefield, Conn. The couple have 12 grandchildren, and all of them have found a place in the book under the section entitled 'Snow Prints,' a series of Christmas poems that highlight the events of a year.
"Garrett hopes the legacy of family will continue to motivate her writing. She is planning a second book entitled 'Grandma's Footprints.' She said the reaction of her children and grandchildren on seeing 'My Footprints' in print has been a touching experience. One grandson tucked a copy of his book into his backpack and read it to his mom and younger siblings on the way to day care every morning. It was that child's mother -- Connie Smeader -- who was responsible for Garrett's compiled collection of poetry ultimately being printed.
"When Garrett celebrated her 61st birthday in April 1991, Smeader told her mother she wanted to put the poems in book form as a gift. Smeader took the poems, which her aunt [Mary (Paige) West] had spent a couple of years gradually inputting on a computer disk, and made three copies 8 1/2 -by- 11 inches. One was sold at the annual Youth for Christ Auction. After seeing her work bound, Garrett decided she wanted to give the books for gifts, so she ran off 30 copies at the church office. But it wasn't quite the same.
"Garrett's husband knew a friend who had been published by Brentwood, so he contacted the company and 385 copies were published and delivered in late May. Over half have been sold.
"A minister's wife for 41 years, Garrett said she has often been told people are using them for a devotion or reflective time with church groups. 'In Christian circles I would say that whenever I had a problem, the Lord gave me the answer to my problem through writing a poem,' Garrett said.
"For those who can't attend the arts and crafts show, the book also is on sale for $10 at Kasper's of Port Austin, the Pigeon Community Book Store, and through the Methodist Cokesbury Book Store. Copies also can be obtained by sending cost of the book and $2 for postage and handling to Charlene Garrett, P.O. Box 33, Blissfield, MI 49228.
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Charlene plays the piano and enjoys singing in the church choir. She is an outstanding organizer, exceptional cook, has been a great asset to Bob's ministry over the years, and her ice cream cakes are in much demand at social gatherings. She is also a loving and thoughtful daughter, who, with husband Bob, has taken care of her mother numerous times over the years, when Jennie has been sick, had strokes, fallen, etc. She and Bob also took care of her father Howard during some of his last months, which was not an easy task. However, Charlene did benefit by achieving some closure with her father.
As of May, 2003-
Char worked at MI Bell Telephone for several years as an operator in the 1940s and 50s, and for a while when her family lived in Dixboro, Michigan. During her married life she also sold Avon products, which helped furnish their house with sales contest winnings. She published her first book of poems in 1992, titled "My Footprints." The book includes poetry from when she first started writing, at age ten, until 1990. Char's sister Mary and daughter Connie greatly assisted in the publication project's early stages.
------------------------------
The following is an article by Debbie Oglenski, Tribune Staff Writer, that appeared in the Huron Daily Tribune, published in Bad Axe, Michigan, July 2, 1992:
"FOOTPRINTS IN POETRY
"Book conveys a lifetime of memories
"PORT AUSTIN -- Charlene Paige Garrett began writing poetry as a child. 'I started writing poems when I was 10 years old. I wrote them on paper that divided hosiery,' Garrett said. Those papers, sent to Garrett by a relative, quickly were put to use. Fifty-two years later, Garrett's work is printed and bound under the title 'My Footprints.'
"The Blissfield resident is back in Port Austin -- a town she and her husband the Rev. Bob Garrett called home for over 20 years -- promoting her book. Garrett will be at the arts and crafts sale at the Port Austin Civic Center Friday from 2-7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. selling and autographing her book.
"The 127-page book contains 119 poems written by Garrett from her childhood until December 1990. 'There are a lot of Port Austin poems because we were there 21 years,' Garrett said. While living in Port Austin, Garrett belonged to a poetry club that met weekly at the United Protestant Church. Poet Dorothy Peterson led the group.
"Throughout her life, Garrett has used poetry to vent her feelings. 'When I was upset by social issues I definitely wrote a poem about them,' Garrett said. One is about a rat-infested tenement in Detroit, told through the eyes of a little boy in prayer. Another deals with Thanksgiving during World War II, when a radio announcer provoked her anger by declaring the holiday that year should be declared 'Blamesgiving Day.'
"The everyday conflicts and struggles of daily living and raising teenagers in the Port Austin area also are the basis of some of her poems. In contrast to the poems that helped Garrett constructively express her anger and frustrations are poems that profile the warm moments with family and a community like Port Austin.
"'Farewell and Thank You' sums up the sights, sounds and feelings of attachment that accumulated in living in one place for an extended period of time. The couple raised four children while in the area, and their ties to it remain strong. Two of the children live in the Thumb area -- Connie Smeader and Robert Garrett. Daughter Laura Hill married a man she met at the Port Austin Air Force Radar Station and now lives in Rome, N.Y., and another daughter, Sue Johnston, lives in Ridgefield, Conn. The couple have 12 grandchildren, and all of them have found a place in the book under the section entitled 'Snow Prints,' a series of Christmas poems that highlight the events of a year.
"Garrett hopes the legacy of family will continue to motivate her writing. She is planning a second book entitled 'Grandma's Footprints.' She said the reaction of her children and grandchildren on seeing 'My Footprints' in print has been a touching experience. One grandson tucked a copy of his book into his backpack and read it to his mom and younger siblings on the way to day care every morning. It was that child's mother -- Connie Smeader -- who was responsible for Garrett's compiled collection of poetry ultimately being printed.
"When Garrett celebrated her 61st birthday in April 1991, Smeader told her mother she wanted to put the poems in book form as a gift. Smeader took the poems, which her aunt [Mary (Paige) West] had spent a couple of years gradually inputting on a computer disk, and made three copies 8 1/2 -by- 11 inches. One was sold at the annual Youth for Christ Auction. After seeing her work bound, Garrett decided she wanted to give the books for gifts, so she ran off 30 copies at the church office. But it wasn't quite the same.
"Garrett's husband knew a friend who had been published by Brentwood, so he contacted the company and 385 copies were published and delivered in late May. Over half have been sold.
"A minister's wife for 41 years, Garrett said she has often been told people are using them for a devotion or reflective time with church groups. 'In Christian circles I would say that whenever I had a problem, the Lord gave me the answer to my problem through writing a poem,' Garrett said.
"For those who can't attend the arts and crafts show, the book also is on sale for $10 at Kasper's of Port Austin, the Pigeon Community Book Store, and through the Methodist Cokesbury Book Store. Copies also can be obtained by sending cost of the book and $2 for postage and handling to Charlene Garrett, P.O. Box 33, Blissfield, MI 49228.
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Charlene plays the piano and enjoys singing in the church choir. She is an outstanding organizer, exceptional cook, has been a great asset to Bob's ministry over the years, and her ice cream cakes are in much demand at social gatherings. She is also a loving and thoughtful daughter, who, with husband Bob, has taken care of her mother numerous times over the years, when Jennie has been sick, had strokes, fallen, etc. She and Bob also took care of her father Howard during some of his last months, which was not an easy task. However, Charlene did benefit by achieving some closure with her father.
Notes for Robert Page & Charlene Frances (Family)
Places where the Charlene and Bob Garrett, Sr. family have lived include Lexington, KY, and Hillman, Saugatuck (twice), Saginaw (twice), Dixboro, Port Austin, Blissfield and Cass City, MI. They have moved about a dozen times.
In the 1980s the Garretts bought their first home, near Port Austin, in the Thumb area of Michigan, which they figured ultimately would be their retirement home. From that time on they maintained two separate homes, their own as well as the parsonage in each town where Bob was assigned as Methodist minister. During several of those years Bob and Charlene rented their own house to friend Gary Sterns. It wasn't until about 2001 that the Garretts only had one residence, at which time their friends and family profited by all the extra furniture they had to unload.
Bob and Charlene's 50th wedding anniversary celebration took place on Saturday June 9, 2001 at the Cass City Methodist church. They had been married Saturday June 9, 1951. Among the many attendees, all of Charlene and Bobís children and most of their grandchildren were there as well as relatives from both sides of the family; there also were people from several of the congregations Bob and Charlene had served since 1951. Charleneís brother Charlie was in Michigan on vacation, so he brought his and Charleneís mother Jennie to the anniversary gala, assisted by Regina from the Arbor Manor Care Center. Also folded into the occasion was the celebration of Bobís 50th anniversary as Methodist minister. Besides a wide assortment of food, drink, and treats, there were display tables presenting pictures and other memorabilia from Bobís 50 years as minister and Bob and Charleneís half-century together. Charleneís wedding dress was hung on a wall behind the marriage tables, and a picture of the wedding couple depicting Charlene wearing the dress was affixed to a large mat board for signing as people entered. Part way through the event, the Garrett children (now grown, with children of their own) acted up, sung special songs, played the piano, and told tales about their parents. Also, Charlene and Bob each did a presentation to the other, including gifts and telling anecdotes from their life together. Throughout much of the time, a storm raged outdoors and family movies on VHS tapes played indoors.
Bob and Charlene have been highly active throughout their married lives and have not slowed down noticeably since retirement. Because of Charlene's mother's need to stay at a care center beginning in 2000, the Garretts have made numerous trips to Jackson for visits and to handle Jennie's business, e.g. pay her bills and be with her during out-of-Center doctor visits. They also do much to cheer Jennie and remind her that she is not forgotten and is still a much beloved member of the family.
In the 1980s the Garretts bought their first home, near Port Austin, in the Thumb area of Michigan, which they figured ultimately would be their retirement home. From that time on they maintained two separate homes, their own as well as the parsonage in each town where Bob was assigned as Methodist minister. During several of those years Bob and Charlene rented their own house to friend Gary Sterns. It wasn't until about 2001 that the Garretts only had one residence, at which time their friends and family profited by all the extra furniture they had to unload.
Bob and Charlene's 50th wedding anniversary celebration took place on Saturday June 9, 2001 at the Cass City Methodist church. They had been married Saturday June 9, 1951. Among the many attendees, all of Charlene and Bobís children and most of their grandchildren were there as well as relatives from both sides of the family; there also were people from several of the congregations Bob and Charlene had served since 1951. Charleneís brother Charlie was in Michigan on vacation, so he brought his and Charleneís mother Jennie to the anniversary gala, assisted by Regina from the Arbor Manor Care Center. Also folded into the occasion was the celebration of Bobís 50th anniversary as Methodist minister. Besides a wide assortment of food, drink, and treats, there were display tables presenting pictures and other memorabilia from Bobís 50 years as minister and Bob and Charleneís half-century together. Charleneís wedding dress was hung on a wall behind the marriage tables, and a picture of the wedding couple depicting Charlene wearing the dress was affixed to a large mat board for signing as people entered. Part way through the event, the Garrett children (now grown, with children of their own) acted up, sung special songs, played the piano, and told tales about their parents. Also, Charlene and Bob each did a presentation to the other, including gifts and telling anecdotes from their life together. Throughout much of the time, a storm raged outdoors and family movies on VHS tapes played indoors.
Bob and Charlene have been highly active throughout their married lives and have not slowed down noticeably since retirement. Because of Charlene's mother's need to stay at a care center beginning in 2000, the Garretts have made numerous trips to Jackson for visits and to handle Jennie's business, e.g. pay her bills and be with her during out-of-Center doctor visits. They also do much to cheer Jennie and remind her that she is not forgotten and is still a much beloved member of the family.