Allyson was born “Allyson Elyse Garrett” to Audrey Leftwich and Fred Garrett on August 23, 1961 in Flint, Michigan. As a child, she could talk and hold a conversation like an adult before she could walk. She loved her big brother Fred and learned everything Fred knew. She was also extremely close to her only cousins in Flint: Shari Ann, William Lyle, and Lee Haywood. In truth and in fact, they were always more like siblings to her.

She attended Cook Elementary School where she excelled in everything. Teachers wanted her to skip a grade but her mother emphatically  said "no," so that her intellectual development would not outpace her social development. While in elementary school, she was privileged to be chosen to participate in the special “Gifted and Talented Program.” As part of this program, she would join other ‘gifted’ elementary children for advanced classes at other elementary schools.  For young Allyson, this meant placement in and access to academic opportunities with relevant options and choices that accelerated her learning ahead of where she would have been in the regular school curriculum.

When her mother remarried in 1969 to Cecil T. Washington Jr., she happily embraced her new siblings—Nadine Victoria, Cecil III, and Shelly Washington, becoming fast friends with Shelly. In 1974, when Cay'me was born, Allyson looked after her like she was her own. She loved Cay'me and all children for that matter, playing games, singing, and having fun with them all. For her, she was every child’s mother and generally always enjoyed mothering and mentoring children.

In 1979, Allyson graduated with honors from Flint Northern High School. Uber active during her high school years, she was class president, varsity cheerleader and valedictorian of her graduating class. She then chose to attend Michigan State University, where she obtained a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1984. She later earned her MBA from the University of Michigan.

In 1984, she was hired by Chrysler, Inc., where she was instrumental in developing the steering column air bag system. She eventually left Chrysler, Inc. and worked at several Fortune 500 Companies including Owens Corning, Mercedes Benz, Carrier Commercial Company and Home Depot. 

Allyson loved her mother dearly. On her visits to Topeka, Kansas, she was intentional and desired to make sure her mother Audrey looked and felt her best. Later in life, when she moved to Topeka, she helped her mother in the church office, keeping records, organizing financial files, and making church programs. She would do whatever she could to help Pastor Cecil T. Washington's church, The New Beginnings M.B.C., run smoothly.

To know Allyson was to love her. She was a woman of many talents and gifts and a wealth of knowledge and experiences. There was nothing she wouldn't do to help anyone who needed it. We thank God for her life and all the many blessings she shared with others.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path. Prov 3:5-6

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/allyson-garrett/obituary/

Copy