“My dad died in peace on Saturday afternoon.” When he left, we were with him and sang “Amazing Grace.” Did we carry him across or scare him away? That’s a good question. “The death of an 85-year-old man who lived a healthy, happy life is not a tragedy, but I know that grief is inevitable and can come up at any time,” she wrote.

“Today is a day to be thankful,” she said.

“We are thankful for Dad’s kind nature and quiet strength.” For the way he teased with a sly grin and made up the part of the all-in, always-patient girl dad. He has a strong work ethic, is a good leader, and has faith.

But Jennifer did say that William was treated at Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope. She did not say what killed William.

“We want to thank the medical staff at Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope.” Your care made Dad’s life longer and gave him more time to do the things he loved, like being with his daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, being in charge of a boat, and most of all, being next to our mom, his wife of 59 years.

My sisters and I will never get tired of talking about how great my dad was, so please bear with us. For now, I’m sharing these memories to show how grateful I am for the kind and smart man, father, and grandfather he was, as well as the loving legacy he left behind.

Patricia Ann Garner is Jennifer Garner’s mom. Who is she?
Southern Living talked to Patricia about her family history. She grew up on a farm near Locust Grove, Oklahoma.

Harvey Newton English and Violet Margaret Sayre English bought the farm in 1936, during the Great Depression. Patricia was born in 1938, two years after her mum and dad moved there.