WALTERBORO: Jane Ellen (Kemper) Garrett, 72, of Walterboro died peacefully Friday, April 7, 2023.

She was born on June 8, 1950, in Gallipolis, Ohio, to the late Charles and Donna Kemper. She graduated with a nursing degree from Jameson Memorial Hospital in New Castle, Pennsylvania. She later received her BSN from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then earned her degree of Certified Nurse Midwife from University of Mississippi, in Jackson.

On June 11, 1971, Jane married Wayne Benton Garrett in Rochester, Pennsylvania. They joyfully welcomed their six children, a single, triplets, and twins. Four daughters became nurses, one an early childhood teacher, and one a child care specialist.

She was a gifted seamstress who took great pride in handcrafting heirloom garments for her daughters, grandchildren, and countless other family and friends.

In 1982, she and a friend co-founded the first free-standing birthing center, Birth Place, in Pittsburgh. In 1986, she joined Walterboro OB/GYN where she subsequently delivered over 2,000 babies, including some of her own grandchildren, before her early retirement in 1999.

Jane is survived by her husband of 51 years, Wayne Benton Garrett of Walterboro; daughters Wendy Jane Robbins (Shea), Amy Lynne Garrett (Anton), Beth Anne Garrett, Dawn Marie Garrett, Holly Leigh Mastin (Douglas), Heather Faye Garrett; grandchildren Beatrix Jane and Lucie Anne Robbins, Charles-Anton van Steenwijk, Benton Alexander Garrett, Adara Rose and Grace Ellen Ledwell, Holley Jane Tant and Nathan Michael Garrett, Isabella Leigh, Katherine Delia and Samuel Carlos Franco, Devon Loring and Conner Andrew Mastin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Donna Jane Kemper.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 at Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home. Family will receive visitors beginning at 1:00. Burial will follow the service at the Live Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.