Myril Elizabeth Peterson Garner, formerly of Wilmington, passed away on May 29, 2026, at The Gardens of Rose Hill.  She was 84 years old. James Roger Garner, her husband of 44 years, preceded her in death in 2007.

She was born in Harrells on October 5, 1941 to Carroll James Peterson and Ella Wells Peterson who preceded her in death.  Also preceding her in death are brothers Gerald Dean Peterson and Jimmy Wells Peterson; sisters Hazel Peterson Hall, Vickey Peterson Blackburn and infant Mickey Peterson.

Though she did not have children, she showed great motherly love to her nieces, nephews and their families.  Surviving nieces and nephews are Michael Blackburn of Rose Hill; Dwayne Peterson of Willard; Todd Peterson of Penderlea; Dawn Hall Sikes of Creedmoor; Amanda Hall Bartlet of Ohio; Rebecca Scruggs of South Carolina; and Sandi Bailey of Scotts Hill.  Also surviving her are sister-in-law Faye Boney Peterson of Willard and brother-in-law Graham Blackburn of Warsaw.

Mrs. Garner was raised in Harrells. She graduated from Wallace Rose Hill High School and Miller-Motte Business College.

During years of marriage, she and Roger lived in Scotts Hill and Wilmington and enjoyed many professional and personal associations within those communities.  Ms. Garner was a long-time faithful member of Epworth United Methodist Church.  Her Epworth relationships were very important to her.   She worked at Carolina Power and Light and later Duke Energy Progress where she retired with over 40 years of service.  Upon her retirement, she volunteered at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in its greeter program until she was no longer able to serve due to COVID-19.

Family stories of her childhood, many of which included shenanigans and predicaments of her, her siblings, and her double first cousins Vaughn Cile, Grace, Myrtle, Jack and Douglas always brought her a quick laugh.  She so enjoyed sharing these stories with other and reliving those days of growing up in the Harrells community.

Aunt Myril loved to go to the beauty parlor and nail salon for a bit of pampering.  She also enjoyed wearing good looking clothes with the perfectly appointed accessories including her pocketbook that was packed full of essentials.  She enjoyed traveling and reading. Though she did not enjoy cooking, she indeed mastered the art of pound cake making.

An intimate memorial service for Mrs. Garner will be held at the home of Michael J Blackburn, 248 Ward Rd, Rose Hill on Sunday, May 31, at 1:00 p.m.

You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by selecting our Tribute Wall above.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wallace, North Carolina