Madelyn Boomhower Garris
November 22, 1925 ~ February 4, 2025
It is with sadness that the family of Madelyn Boomhower Garris announce her passing on February 4, 2025. Madelyn was born in Wayzata, Minnesota on November 22, 1925 to Herbert Westlake Boomhower and Mabel Kronstrom Boomhower. After moving to Virginia with her family, she married Frederick Barrett Garris on April 10, 1949.
She is predeceased by her husband, Frederick Barrett Garris, her son Frederick Westlake Garris, and her siblings Mary Colliton, Veronica Eckholm, Nellie Slager and Eddie Boomhower. She is survived by her daughter, Claudia Garris McMillan of Prospect, VA, and sons David Garris of Solomons Island, MD, and Jeffrey Garris of California, MD, granddaughter, Amber Garris Richardson (Scott) of Va. Beach, VA and grandson Daniel Garris of Glen Burnie, MD, and granddaughter Sarah McMillan King (Andrew) of Charleston, SC. Great-grandchildren include Brooke Morgan, Holly Morgan, Austin Richardson, Paige Richardson, Sullivan King and Brooks King. She also leaves great- great-grandsons, Jenesis Taylor and Jaiden Taylor, and many loving nephews and nieces.
She was an active member of the First Church of God in Norfolk, VA, Lexington Park Baptist Church and Hollywood Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School and was the Vacation Bible School Director for many years. She was a charter member of St. Mary’s Craft Guild as well as other art organizations and garden clubs. Her passions included art, reading, gardening, quilting, shopping and traveling all over the world. Her proudest accomplishment was her family, who will miss her boundless energy and wit.
The family will receive friends at the Hollywood United Methodist Church on February 14, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Joy Chapel Cemetery, Hollywood, MD.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Jude’s or Samaritans Purse, two of her favorite charities, in her memory.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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My dear friend Madelyn was one of my “balcony people” at Lexington Park Baptist Church. She and her group of “Extra Years of Zesters” were my encouragers when I was Youth & Outreach Director and also the 14 years of directing Kings Kids Choir. Her artistic abilities were amazing and I’m glad to have a special 25th anniversary artistic drawing from her over our bed. We retired from MD in 2002 but came back to Lexington Park regularly and enjoyed visiting with she & son Jeff. Thanks to Amber for getting in touch and sharing memories.