Frances Driver Garrison

Frances Rebecca Driver Garrison was born on July 23, 1932. She was the second of fifteen children born to Walter Charles and Meloise Jackson Driver in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Becky, as she was affectionately known, was educated in the public schools of Montgomery County, at Quince Orchard Elementary School and Lincoln High School in Rockville, MD. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from what is now known as Bowie State University (formerly Maryland State Teachers College) in 1954. She pursued graduate work at both The George Washington University and Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

Becky married James Garrison, Sr., on August 28, 1954. They spent over 50 happy years together. From their union, they had three lovely children, James Jr., Mark, and Tamara. They were also blessed with a wonderful granddaughter, Jordan, who was a joyful addition to their family. Later, two great-grandsons, Austin and Brixton, brought her immense happiness. Becky loved her family unconditionally. Their happiness and success were very important to her.

Becky decided at an early age that she wanted to be a teacher. She was inspired by her teachers, Miss Lorraine Johnson and Miss Rosalie Mapson. Her teaching career, which spanned more than 60 years, was her cherished and dedicated achievement. She taught in the District of Columbia Public School System for several years, but much of her career was spent in the Prince George’s County Public School System. Within PGCPS, she was instrumental in the opening of Potomac Landing Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland. She remained there until she retired in 1995. Having loved teaching so much, she returned to the classroom shortly thereafter and taught at various PGCPS schools for several more years.

Becky joined Prince Hall Chapter #5 Order of the Eastern Star in 1972, an appendant body of Freemasonry. She embodied the values of charity, truth, and kindness through her involvement in philanthropic activities that supported communities and promoted fellowship. Becky held several positions within the organization and led the chapter as Worthy Matron in 1981. In 1983, she became a member of Daughter of Isis- Mecca Court #2, an auxiliary of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, focusing on sisterhood, cultural heritage, and social welfare.

She loved the Lord and gave her life to Him at an early age. Early on, she was a member of Seneca Community Church in Germantown, Maryland, where she sang in the Seneca Gospel Choir. In 2011, she joined Word for Life Christian Ministries in Fort Washington, Maryland. There, she was ordained as a Deacon on April 14, 2013. She previously served as Co-Chair of the Women’s Ministry and supported many other ministries within the church.

In her free time, Becky enjoyed spending quality time with her family at home and accompanying them on various outings to places like Ocean City, MD, NASCAR races, and the casino, to name a few. She was a dedicated Washington Redskins fan and often hosted football watch parties. Becky had a welcoming heart and home, where she regularly gathered her "adopted sons and daughters" for weekend fun. She also had a passion for travel, both domestically and internationally, with Paris, France, being a favorite destination. During the holiday season, she took pride in decorating her home, especially for Christmas, showcasing her extensive collection of snowmen. Becky also loved attending her great-grandsons' sporting events, cheering them on from the sidelines in basketball, football, and baseball. They were truly the "apple of her eye".

She leaves to cherish countless wonderful memories, her children, James Jr. (Patricia), Mark (Cheron), Tamara Neal (Douglas), granddaughter Jordan Bates (Les), and great-grandsons Austin and Brixton Bates. She also leaves three sisters, Melissa Washington, Sally Tynes- Mboye (Heru), Shelia Moore (Steve), and six brothers, Ralph (Nancy), Roland (Gayle), Frank, Gilbert (Peggy), Gregory (Carol), and Allen Driver (Patricia), as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and great grand-dog Honcho.

She is preceded in death by her husband James Garrison, Sr., her parents Walter and Meloise Driver, and five brothers Donald, John, Charles, Douglas, and Rodney Driver.

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