Aurora Ann Sharp Garrett of Birmingham passed away on March 11, 2021, following complications of a stroke. She was preceded in death just three months prior by the love of her life and husband of 71 years, Henry B. Garrett. Ann was born in Birmingham on July 5, 1930, to Elizabeth Martin Sharp and Charles Goodman Sharp. A member of the National Honor Society, she graduated from Shades Cahaba School in 1948. She completed two years of studies at Auburn University before marrying Henry in the Auburn Methodist Parsonage in 1949. Following their marriage, they returned to Birmingham and joined Huffman United Methodist Church, where they were devoted lifelong members. Ann held many leadership roles during her 50 years of membership in United Methodist Women.
She nurtured her family, offering steadfast support as they moved to various states in the US, as well as to England and Scotland, in support of Henry’s career. After raising her family, she worked at St. Martin’s in the Pines. During retirement, she enjoyed traveling and spending time at South Sauty Creek on Lake Guntersville. Their final years were spent happily at St. Martin’s in the Pines. Ann was kind, considerate, selfless, strong, hardworking, devoted, compassionate, and confident. The grace that followed her was inspired by these words she shared with us: “Live in such a way that those who don’t know God, but know you, will come to know God because they know you.”
Ann is survived by three children, Henry Michael Garrett (Cathy), Elizabeth Garrett Butterworth (Craig), Robert Charles Garrett (Shirley); four grandchildren, Elizabeth Sharp Butterworth (Duston), Joyce Butterworth McKinnon (Kyle), Charles Craig Butterworth, and Mary Dixon Garrett; and three great grandchildren, Isaac Orin Parker, Grace Anaya Parker, and Aurora Jane McKinnon.
A service to celebrate the lives of Ann and Henry will be held in the not-too-distant future. Memorials may be made to Huffman United Methodist Church (711 Gene Reed Rd, Birmingham, AL., 35235) or to St. Martin’s in the Pines (4941 Montevallo Rd, Irondale, AL., 35210).