Mary Wanda Garland

MARY GARLAND OBITUARY Mary W. Garland, 89, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, sister-in-law and friend, entered the presence of Jesus her Lord and Savior on December 6, 2024. Mary was born May 21, 1935, to H. Martin and Florence (Wooten) Hamblin in their farmhouse in Maunie, Illinois. On May 20, 1956, Mary was united in marriage to Robert L. Garland at the Leavitt Street Bible Church in Chicago, IL. Mary’s sister, Anna Hamblin, and Pastor Robert Burrows of Leavitt Street Bible Church shared the Gospel with Bob and Mary; as a result, they came to know the Lord in 1959. As they grew in the Lord, studying God’s Word and reading great Christian books and biographies, a deep desire grew in them to share the Gospel with people who had never had the opportunity to hear it. They trained as missionaries and served together from 1962 to 2004 in Bolivia. She and Bob had an incredibly happy marriage – they were deeply in love with each other, and were a blessing and inspiration to many. After Bob went to be with the Lord in 2004, Mary returned to Bolivia for five more years before “retiring” to Florida in 2009. While in Florida, Mary became a full-time online missionary with Global Media Outreach, communicating with nearly 14,000 people around the world, sharing the Good News with others and encouraging, counselling and praying for them. She put everything she had into ministry, giving it all she had for as long as she was able and is a true example and inspiration to many. Mary is survived by her well-loved children: Lorraine (Tony) Garland-Torres of Galesburg, IL; Mark (Nelda) of Port St. Lucie, FL; Bethany (Jay) Krause of Belvidere, IL; Nathan (Jeanine) of Madison Heights, MI; grandchildren: Christy Torres, Courtney (Greg) Bibo; Ashley Garland; Mike (Tanya) Forstrom, Emily (Kevin) Steck, Katie (Luis) Villa, Nathan Forstrom; and Marisa, Matt and Elaina Garland; great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Nancy Ignarski. Preceding her in death were her husband, Robert; son, Matthew; grandson, Mark Garland, Jr; brother John Hamblin; and sisters Anna Hamblin and Mildred Evans. Donations in memory of Mary are requested to be made to Global Media Outreach at donate.globalmediaoutreach.com

Mary Wanda Garland

May 21, 1935 - December 6, 2024