Belva Mae Garst, the daughter of Richard and Pinkney (Patterson) Carder was born May 21, 1911 in Farnum, Nebraska. Belva attended Bethany School through the eighth grade and Watson High School, Watson, Missouri, graduating in 1929. Belva then enrolled in Peru State Teachers College, graduating in 1933. She taught school at Ingham and Huntley, Nebraska for a short time.

On July 19, 1934 Belva was united in marriage to Orville Sylvester Garst in Watson. They made their home on the Garst Family farm and became the parents of two sons; Charlee Miles and Richard Sylvester. In 1961, they built a new home in Rock Port, where Belva lived until ill health required her move to Pleasant View Nursing Home in 2007. Orville passed away in 1974. Belva developed a close friendship with Bob Hays in the years following Orville’s death and had been special friends with Lillie Leisman from her youth. Belva passed away Friday, February 26, 2010 at Pleasant View Nursing Home at the age of 98 years.

While living in Watson, Belva was a member of the Watson Homemakers and the Watson Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and had served on numerous committees and offices. After moving to Rock Port, Belva became an active member of the Rock Port Baptist Church and the Garden Club. She enjoyed many hobbies; including oil painting and growing a large variety of beautiful flowers. At the age of 68, Belva began playing golf. For her 90th birthday, she and Charlee played six holes in Rock Port.

Besides her parents and husband, Orville, Belva was preceded in death by one son, Richard Sylvester Garst and a brother, Byron Carder. Survivors include; one son, Charlee Miles Garst and his wife, Ardis, Rock Port; one daughter-in-law, Jeanne Garst, Watson, Missouri; five grandchildren, Dayan Garst, Tammy Creten and husband, Gary, Garry Garst and wife, Jill, Jim Garst and wife, Tracey, Melinda Hunsberger and husband, Jesse; five great grandchildren, Tarah, Laura, Trey, Alex, Scarlett; one great great-grandchild, Kynzie; one sister, Jeannette Tische and husband, Francis, Lincoln, Nebraska; and five nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service:
2:00 pm, Monday, March 1, 2010
Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port
Interment: High Creek Cemetery, Watson
The Family will receive friends from 1:00 – 1:50 pm, Monday, March 1, at Minter Funeral Chapel prior to the service.
Memorials: Rock Port Baptist Church or Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.