Rosetta Garner

After a short illness Rosetta Pavia Marshall Garner has left all who love on earth and returned to her Heavenly Father. Rosetta was born December 7, 1919, in Orange to parents, Phyllis Molley Pavia and Anthony Pavia, Sr. and died on Sunday, March 13, 2011 in presence of her much-loved children. She was a first-generation Italian-American on her father?s side; he was born in Bagnara, Calabria, Italy. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Art Garner; her brothers, Anthony Pavia, Jr., Roy Mazzagate, and Joe Mazzagate. She is survived by her son, Philip D. Marshall and his wife, Marsha of Orange; her daughter, Carolyn Marshall Brown and her husband, Phillip; three grandsons, Corby Brown and his wife, Tronya of Round Rock; Jason Marshall of DeKalb, Illinois; and Tate Marshall of Los Angeles, California; two granddaughters, Shelly Smith of Dallas; Kristin Marshall of Orange; two great-granddaughters, Laney and Kylie Brown of Round Rock; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Pavia and Zannie Mazzagate. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins and was especially close to her cousins, Rosetta and Louis Bonura of Port Arthur.

Rosetta loved to sing, dance and shop. She had not a shy bone in her body and delighted in embarrassing her daughter in public by calling her name loudly or tap-dancing in stores- a habit that made Carolyn want to disappear. She was generous to a fault, thought it was her calling to fight for the underdog, and never met a stranger. She loved her relatives and always wanted to be the one in whom they could confide. She was a great cook having wonderful models in her mother and mother-in-law and she passed that talent on to both her son and daughter. She actually thought she was as young as her children or grandchildren and at 91; she was still young at heart. Rosetta was very proud of having been a charter member if the Bengal Guards.

Philip and Carolyn would like to thank Kenny Blanda, executive director, and the staff of Magnolia Manor Nursing Home in Groves for their compassionate treatment and obvious affection for their spirited mother for the past five years. She resided in a private room and enjoyed the many impromptu visits from the staff, especially Sarah, who dropped by regularly for the lively conversations. The children also thank Odyssey Hospice for the personal and supportive care they provided to Rosetta in these last two weeks and for the comforting words they received from the nurses as well.

There will be a private funeral for the family after which she will be laid to rest beside many family members in St. Mary Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her name to St. Mary School, Orange, or the charity of your choice.