Lydia Shields Garrison

ROCKY MOUNT – Lydia Shields Garrison of Rocky Mount, NC went home to be with her Lord and Savior on April 16, 2025, at the age of 84 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born January 22, 1941, in High Point, NC to Rachael Taylor Shields and William Benjamin Shields. Lydia was predeceased by her two brothers, William Benjamin Shields, Jr., and James Haywood Shields.

Lydia lived in Meridian, MS, then Chattanooga, TN, where she attended Girls Preparatory School. She moved to Burlington, NC, with her family in 1957 and graduated from Williams High School. She went on to attend the University of Georgia and Elon College. In 1963 Lydia married her hometown sweetheart, Mac, while he was stationed at Fort Bragg.

Lydia and Mac raised their family in Rocky Mount where they have lived for 57 years. She never missed an event in which her children were involved. She loved being a wife and a mother, which she considered her highest calling. After her kids were grown, she enjoyed traveling, working seasonally at Bullock’s in Rocky Mount and spending time with family and friends.

Lydia met Jesus as her personal Savior at a young age at a Billy Graham crusade. From that time forward, her life reflected that relationship. Lydia was full of wisdom, kindness, humility, grace and selflessness. She loved the Lord and loved others, always interested in those around her.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Watson McIver (Mac) Garrison, Jr., son Edwin McIver (Mac) Garrison and his wife Tracy of Meridian, Idaho; daughter Rebecca Garrison Bennett and her husband Bo of Raleigh; five grandchildren: Joshua Garrison and wife Sierra, Jacob Benjamin Garrison, Marvin Butler Bennett IV, Rachael Shields Bennett and fiancé David Knight Liggett, Jr., and Charles Garrison Bennett.

A celebration of Lydia’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Redeemer Church, 940 N. Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Dr. Dayton Hartman officiating. A visitation will follow the service until 3:00 PM at the church.

A private family committal service will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery in Burlington, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lydia’s memory to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28657.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.