Mother Iris Garrett Heyward

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in mouth”

Psalms 34:1

Iris Lee Garrett was born November 23, 1949, in the city of Sandersville, Georgia to the proud parents of Mrs. Lenora Gumbs Dudley and Mr. Harvey Matthis, Sr. She was blessed to be born on that year on Thanksgiving Day! Iris received the education from Cliffwood Matawan New Jersey School System. She went on to receive her certification for early childhood development at the University of New York, in New York City. Iris received her certification as a CNA Nursing Assistant. Iris was blessed to have three sisters, Barbara, Juanita and Janis. As they grew older, their mother decided to move to New Jersey where there was more opportunity for them to be productive citizens. In the year 1968 Iris gave birth to Lonnie Clifton, III, father Mr. Lonnie Clifton, Jr. and in the year 1971 Ian LaMar Garrett, father Mr. Larry Keys. Iris loved her sons and raised them in the fear of the Lord. Iris received the Gift of the Holy Ghost in 1976 at Cliftwood Community Church of Christ where Bishop James H. Clarke was the Pastor along with his first lady Mother Mary Clarke, during a revival that was being ran by Evangelist King. She was a worker in the church holding several positions, lead soloist on the choir, young people president, etc. Sister Iris received her teaching certificate from the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Apostle William Bonner. In the year 1994 she moved to South Carolina and joined Refuge Bibleway Church of our Lord Jesus Christ under the leadership of Elder Herbert C. Heyward and First Lady Mother Inez Heyward. After a while Sis. Garrett became a Senior Missionary working with Mother Inez Heyward and Mother Caroline Wright. For her stewardship, Pastor Heyward made her a mother of the church. She liked to visit the sick and the nursing homes. She would bring gifts to the nursing homes and would give encouraging words to lift their spirits. Bishop Heyward then appointed her President of the Mother's Board. Once a year she would sponsor a program for the building fund entitled "Hidden Treasure and Seed of Faith, where her adopted son, Elder Timothy Grant was the speaker. When she became ill and couldn't go to church, Elder Timothy Grant was there for her. She referred to him as her "Shepherd”. Elder Christopher Gumbs also ministered his sister Iris from abroad. Mother Heyward was the coordinator of the Junior Missionaries and worked along with the Young People Department and the Young People Choir. Mother Heyward also worked along with the Minister and Deacon Wives Guild, Pastor's Aide and implemented the Saturday morning prayer. Mother Garrett loved to cook and one of her best recipes was spaghetti. After the death of First Lady Mother Inez Heyward who died in 1999, she became engaged to Elder Herbert C. Heyward and they married in May 20, 2000. In the Year of 2017 Pastor Heyward passed away and she became ill in 2020. Her illness prevented her from attending her church services as she wanted to, but thanks be to God she held on to her faith. She thanked God everyday for her sons, Lonnie Clifton, III and Ian Garrett for the care and love they showed her during her illness. Mother Iris Lee Garrett Heyward was preceded in death by her sisters, Juanita Hunter Brown, Barbara Dudley, Janis Garrett and Beatrice Matthis, Sandersville, GA. Her brother, Harvey Matthis, Jr., of Atlanta, GA, son- in -law Leroy Johnson and brother-in-law, John Brown. She leaves to cherish her memories her children, Lonnie Clifton III and Ian Garrett, step-children Carlton Heyward, Mother Cynthia H Salley, Herbert Heyward, Jr., Bernard Heyward (Trudy), Chris Heyward, Coletta H. Duberry (Franklin, Sr.), Geneva Johnson, Elder George Heyward, Floretta Heyward, and Rodney Heyward (Starlette), a host of grands and great grands, her brothers Elder Christopher Augustus Gumbs (Wanda) Virginia, Larry Gumbs, (Yorie) Sacramento, CA. Marvin Gumbs (Diane), Pleasantville, NJ Richard Mathis (Lucy) Atlanta, GA, Charles Matthis, Warner Robbins, GA, Donel Biggins (Carla), Sandersville, GA, and Marcus Biggins, Atlanta, GA, her sisters; Mary “Sis”Matthis, Dublin, GA, Frances Chapman, Warrenton, GA, Ealean Thomas (George), Dover, DE, and a special sister, Rochelle Biggins, Sandersville, GA., NOTE: Elder George LaMar Heyward, Sr. was responsible for bringing Mother Iris to South Carolina. He has been in her life for a long time. When she first came home, she lived with Sis. Floretta Heyward and her son, Antonio. Then the Lord blessed her and her son to get a place of their own.