Garland Lewis Arnett of Spartanburg, South Carolina passed away on January 14, 2026, at the age of 85.
He was born in Royalton, Kentucky, the son of the late Ethel and Clifton Arnett on August 31, 1940. He was very close to his parents, grandmother, younger sister and his beagle.
Garland married his Salyersville High School sweetheart and the love of his life, Mildred Louise Arnett, on Aug. 21, 1959. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University in 1962 and later completed his master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 1966.
He devoted his career to education, beginning his career in educational administration in Woodford County, Kentucky, where he played an instrumental role in the racial integration of the school system. After returning to Eastern Kentucky, he served as principal at Magoffin County High School, Oil Springs Elementary, W.R. Castle Elementary, John T. Arnett Elementary, Salyer Elementary, and later retired from Millard Hensley Elementary in 1996. He also taught at the Johnson County Alternative School. He was a member of the National Education Association and the Retired Teachers Association.
He was active Deacon in the First Baptist Church of Paintsville, Ky , the Gideon’s, and when he retired to SC he attended many functions at The Church of the Advent in Spartanburg, SC, especially enjoying the Book & Brown Bag group. He had several friends he regularly met for coffee, dinners and discussions of any and all topics. He was always a gentleman and could discuss opposing views with grace and respect, always open for a chat with neighbors, often becoming friends with those he met in the aisles at Lowe’s. He was often there fueling his garden of heirloom tomatoes and cushaws, of which he had a standing conversation with his brother in law, Jim, as well as the progress of the Ky Wildcats.
He was a devoted father to his children as well as a helping hand to family, friends and community offering advice and wisdom, always on call for them when anything was needed. His school was open to all during local disasters, Garland himself manning the kitchens to feed all who were hungry. If he saw a need, he was present to offer help and support, sharing his faith in very real quiet ways. He often checked in with his friends from high school, especially Luther Dean, and remaining family. He knew how to nurture and maintain long-term friendships, even when his smartphone gave him fits!
In his retirement years he often spent time with his grandsons, giving them a love for Johnny Cash and working with them in his workshop and train table. “Granddad rocks!” was often heard after a school pick up and trip to McDonald’s.
He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Arnett Jabbour and her husband Edward of Spartanburg, South Carolina; his son, Garland Lewis Arnett, Jr. and his wife Julie of Pikeville, Kentucky; two grandsons, Garland Lewis Arnett, III and Charles Michael Jabbour; his sister, Avanell Elizabeth Patrick and her husband Jim of Lexington, Kentucky; and host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred Louise Arnett, whom he will be overjoyed to join along with his Lord.
A card found in his wallet, from his mother read:
A Wish for My Son
by Genevieve Perrine Cheney
Some people want their boy to be
A man of great renown;
They may even hope a President
May in their boy be found.
Yes, I admit that I would be
Real glad and happy, too,
If mine could fill an honored place
Of greatness, as some do.
But, more than anything, I hope
This son of mine will be
A man who loves and honors God –
That’s great enough for me!
Visitation Jan 31 Magoffin County Funeral Home, 900 Parkway Dr, Salyersville, Ky at 11am, graveside service following.
Memorial service Feb 7 the Church of of the Advent, 141 Advent St, Spartanburg,SC 29302 at 2pm .
Arrangements are under the direction of the Magoffin County Funeral Home.
www.magoffincountyfuneralhome.com
