He was born in Jackson, and grew up at Finger. He graduated McNairy Central High School and attended Jackson State Community College and received an Associates Degree in Nursing. He worked in the emergency room at Regional Hospital until 1996, when he became disabled with heart problems.
he is survived by a son Jonathan Dale Garner of Selmer and a daughter, Jessica Hope Buswell of Jackson; his mother, Vonnie Mae Talbott Garner and father William Branson Garner of Finger; two brothers, James Larry Garner of Finger and Gary Talbott Garner of Adamsville and also four grandchildren.