Garner Isaac Shannon Jr., of Belzoni, passed away Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital Yazoo in Yazoo City.
He was born May 11, 1933, in Greenwood, to G. I. Shannon Sr. and Marion Foster Shannon. Garner grew up in Belzoni where he earned the rank Eagle Scout, enjoyed boxing, and graduated from Belzoni High School in 1951. He went on to graduate from Mississippi State University in 1955 with a degree in civil engineering. Garner then served in the U.S. Army for two years where he was stationed in Germany in the 553rd Field Artillery Battalion.
Garner was a highly-skilled and intelligent man and always did his absolute best at whatever work he was given to do. He had Shannon Engineering and Construction Incorporated for 60 years before his retirement. Garner was exacting with his crew, but he really cared for and appreciated the men who worked for him.
Garner loved crossword puzzles, playing Hearts on the iPad, and watching the weather and the market. He was a great storyteller and had a very unique way, through many rabbit trails, of telling the most interesting tales. He also had a generous heart. During his many years of traveling to jobsites, he either fed or rescued nearly every dog he passed. Garner never met a dog he didn’t like.
Garner was proud of his family and loved them very much. He is survived by his wife, Toni Shannon; daughters, Kelli Smallwood of Forest, Julie and Tracy Lang of Brandon, Amy and Cole DeLong of Madison, and Mari Fran and Jay Burton of New Braunfels, Texas; granddaughter, Mary Shannon Lang; and grandsons, Cade Usry, Harrison and Annabelle Lang, and Justin and Mason Smallwood, whom Garner and Toni raised as a son.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Jeanne Shannon; and grandson, Taylor DeLong.
Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 17, at First Presbyterian Church in Belzoni from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service. The Rev. Richard Wiman will officiate at the service. Burial will follow at Belzoni Cemetery.
Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.
Any donations or memorials can be made to B.A.R.K. (Belzoni Animal Rescue Kennel) at P. O. Box 1015, Belzoni, MS 39038, the Belzoni Cemetery Association at 506 Sharkey St., Belzoni, MS 39038, or Hydrocephalus Association, 4340 East West Hwy, Ste. 905, Bethesda, MD 20814.
