Anne McKay Garris' Obituary
Anne McKay Garris, 95, passed away Friday, November 15, 2024 at Accent Hospice at Oak Manor in Largo, FL. Annie Anderson McKay was born in Macon, GA, the daughter of Clifford A. and Frances Peabody McKay. As a teenager, she moved with her family to Clearwater Beach FL when her father was transferred to Drew Field by the Army Air Corps. A that point Clearwater Beach was a remote beach community. Anne attended Wesleyan College in Macon, GA, where she majored in speech and radio. After graduating in 1951, Anne worked at a radio station in Valdosta, GA where she met a handsome young Marine recruiter. Anne and Berle wed in 1952 in Clearwater, the first couple to be married at Chapel by the Sea. Anne spent 28 years as a Marine wife, splitting time between Camp Lejeune, NC and Clearwater during Berle’s three combat tours in Vietnam where Anne raised her two children, along with assorted nephews, neighbors, and most of the church youth group. Upon Berle's retirement from the Marine Corps in 1973, Anne and Berle returned to Clearwater Beach where they purchased The Beach Views, a local weekly newspaper. As the newspaper editor, Anne became deeply involved in local politics and served as a passionate advocate to keep Clearwater Beach the family-friendly beach oasis she’d known and loved for so many years. She was an early supporter of many of Clearwater Beach’s well-known institutions including the Sailing Center and the Marine Aquarium and an unofficial guardian of Clearwater Beach history having lived much of that history herself. In recognition of her contributions over many years, Anne was honored with various community awards, including from Sertoma, and in 2024 was named a “Trailblazing Woman of Clearwater” by the Clearwater Historical Society. When not at city hall, Anne led a weekly Bible study at Chapel by the Sea. She could often be found in and around her beloved Gulf of Mexico swimming, sailing, or looking for seashells. Her home on North Clearwater Beach was a respite for a constant stream of visiting friends and family, including her four grandchildren for whom she hosted her famous “Grannie Camps.” Amid all the “happy chaos,” as she called it, Anne continued to find time to write, authoring countless newspaper and magazine articles, and two books: Grandma was Right! (1996) and One Prayer Too Many (2013).
Anne was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years Berle Garris, Sr., daughter Nancy Garris Dean, and her sister Mary McKay Stephan. She is survived by her brother Clifford A. McKay, Jr. (Beezie) of Winter Park, FL; son Berle Garris, Jr. (Cyndy) of Traverse City, MI; son-in-law Benjamin Dean of Mt. Pleasant, SC; as well as grandchildren Jason Dean (Alisa) of Wake Forest, NC; Nathan Garris (Jordan) of Charlottesville, VA; Heath Garris (Ashley) of Traverse City, MI; and Lindsey Dean Brogli (Matt) of Eagle Springs, NC. She also leaves a legacy of twelve great grandchildren: Evan Dean, Emerson Dean, Ella Dean, Kenna
Brogli, Finnegan Brogli, Gunnar Brogli, Duncan Brogli, Penelope Garris, Paige Garris, Fuller Garris, Caleb Garris, and Reid Garris.
The family would like to thank Anne's nephew Paul Stephan and his wife Francie who have been invaluable in the last few years in helping Anne any way they could. Many thanks as well to Sharon Hunter for her loving care and kindness to both Berle Sr. and to Anne. Sharon's sacrificial care and devotion to Anne in her last years are so appreciated.
Per her request there will be cremation with internment at Bay Pines National Cemetery. The date for a celebration of life service will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Chapel by the Sea, Clearwater Beach, FL or to a charity of your choosing.
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