“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

On Sunday, February 10, 2013, Connie Harty Garth of Beaumont went home to be with her Lord.

Born on November 15, 1947, in Texarkana, Texas, Connie moved to the Beaumont area in her elementary school years. She attended Port Neches and Port Arthur schools and transferred to Forest Park High School in 1964. Cheering for the Trojans started a lifelong passion for football. After graduating in 1966, Connie attended the University of Texas where she was a Fine Arts major. It was during this time burnt orange became one of her favorite colors. In her freshman year she eloped with her high school sweetheart, Terry Garth, to Monterrey, Mexico.  (Our first glimpse of her courageous and adventurous spirit).

During their six years in the Austin area, their daughter, Jessica, was born in the summer of 1968. The family moved to Dallas in 1972, and then returned to Beaumont in May of 1973. They adopted their son, Joshua, in 1975…these were happy years.

These years were brimming over with moments that were so special to her from the Lord. Her house was filled with wonderful times of sharing her faith. Connie was called…called to be a Sunday school teacher…called to be a youth leader…called to make a difference for the Lord.

Connie raised her two children and joyfully took part in their lives. Involved in everything they did from church, cheerleading, taekwondo, camps…she was “THE MOM”. So many activities seemed to end up happening at her house…she wanted it that way.

A devoted wife, she even set the table for breakfast before she went to bed, she wanted to do it right! Connie spent her time willingly serving her family. Many of our happiest memories took place at gatherings she planned.

In the summer of 1987, Connie was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent radical surgery. Within one year, due to unexplained symptoms, her next diagnosis was Multiple Sclerosis and her life began to change drastically.  Things that had been taken for granted as being normal were now seemingly impossible. This began the twenty year journey of conquering the fear of the unknown and facing the most frightening challenge she had ever been given.

As the disease progressed, so did her faith in the Lord. It was this faith that carried her through the multitude of tests, medications and sufferings in this long process of disease. “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) This became her life scripture.

Connie was able to walk with the aide of a walker until April of 2001; at that time her body was confined to a wheelchair, but her spirit continued to rise above the circumstances. Along with her loss of mobility, she also lost her ability to swallow. Even though she could no longer participate, she still sat with the family and enjoyed the fellowship of meal times. This chapter of her life was difficult but brought with it a new understanding of caregiving. Life could not have been lived without Ms. Patricia, who became her best friend and advocate, and coordinated the many other caregivers who made life livable.

If we listed Connie’s joys, her grandchildren would be at the top of the list. No matter how she felt physically, whatever her grandchildren were participating in came first. Second to being a mother, “Jojo” was her favorite role. Wherever they were, that is where she wanted to be.

Twelve years passed in this physical state, every day deserves its own chapter and contains its own memories. Even enduring the death of her only son and other heartbreaking losses in this time did not destroy her faith in her Mighty God.  A single story, capturing her entire life is impossible, because each day brought forth new challenges and opportunities that she faced with insurmountable faith and courage, marked with elegance and underlined with grace.

Connie Garth is my Mom. I am so proud to be her daughter. Her everyday life was a testimony to me of what it means to really have faith…to walk the walk (without complaining or questioning God)...to honor the Lord no matter how bad life got. Loving unconditionally, faithfulness, strength, putting others before herself and amazing inner joy. She gave me great gifts……Thank you Mom….I love you!

“Be assured, if you walk with Him, look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. ‘God has never failed me. Even in my greatest difficulties, heaviest trials, and deepest poverty and need, He has never failed me. Because I was enabled by God’s grace to trust Him, He has always come to my aid.  I delight in speaking well of His name.”-George Mueller

Survivors include her daughter, Jessica Whitney and her husband, Jason of Beaumont; grandchildren, Ty and Tory Abshire, Tate and True Whitney, Jackson Garth and Kaelyn Vaughn; sister, Barbara Hall and her husband, Danny; brother, Bill Harty and his wife, Stephanie of Euless; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her son, Joshua Robert Tyrrell Garth; and her parents, Jessie and Harold Harty.

A gathering of Mrs. Garth's family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 14, 2013, at Cathedral in The Pines, 2350 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, New York, 10163 or Julie Rogers Gift of Life, 755 South 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.