Steven Garner

Steven Dwayne Garner, affectionately known as Steve, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the age of 70. He was born on April 26, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Rosetta Brown and Edward Garner. Steven spent his final moments surrounded by care and compassion at Hospice of Cincinnati.

For over 50 years, Steve was a devoted member of the Church of the Living God, where he found joy and purpose in singing with the choir. His dedication to his faith and his love for music were constants throughout his life.

Steve was a man of steadfast principles and unwavering integrity. Despite living a life of modest means, he was deeply considerate and thoughtful toward others. He faithfully marked birthdays, holidays and special occasions by sending greeting cards, a gesture that reflected his commitment to maintaining meaningful connections.

A traditionalist at heart, Steve valued family ties and the importance of knowing one’s roots. He cherished attending family gatherings and took great pride in preserving the bonds that connected loved ones. Steve believed in doing things the “old-fashioned way” and adhered to his principles with conviction. He never attended an event without a formal invitation and preferred not to make assumptions, always striving to live by his mantra: “Live and learn.”

Steve had a youthful spirit and enjoyed engaging with children, often quizzing them on life basics to spark conversations and share wisdom. His thoughtful nature extended to his awareness of those around him, as he never met a stranger and treated people with kindness.

Steve found joy in the company of family and friends. He cherished gatherings where he could spend time playing card games at his niece’s house or at the Bond Hill and Madisonville Recreation Centers. A passionate sports enthusiast, Steve had a deep love for football, favoring the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers over his hometown teams. His appreciation for athletics extended to baseball and basketball and occasionally attended school sports games to support his nephews and cousins.

Music was another source of happiness for Steve. He enjoyed listening to old-school music from artists like Blue Magic, Stylistics, Earth Wind and Fire, which brought him great comfort and connection. He also loved traveling, embracing opportunities to explore.

Steve attended Cincinnati Public Schools and graduated from Hughes High School in the Class of 1973. During his time at Hughes, he proudly served as the school mascot and later remained connected to his alma mater as a member of the Class Reunion Committee. Following high school, Steven pursued higher education at the University of Cincinnati with a focus on Police Science before transferring to Cincinnati State Technical College, where he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Steve’s passion for law enforcement led him to attend the Covington Police Academy, which paved the way for his career as a police officer with the Covington Police Department. After his time in law enforcement, he transitioned into security work, dedicating many years to ensuring safety and protection. Later in life, inspired by his beloved Uncle John, Steven embarked on a new professional journey in plumbing.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved younger brother, Robert Johnson. He leaves to cherish his memory: siblings, Sandra Williams, George (Gloria) Johnson, Bennetta Carter, Ellen (Carlos) Mota, Edward Abernathy and Edmund Dawson; children, Tashia Oliver, Joy Garner, Deeanna Garner, Carmen Garner, Steven Garner and Cameron Allen; grandchildren, Danyale, Deziree, Olayemi, Jakobi, Ayinde, Kweli, D’Airion, Deeara, Zareh, Zorah and Alana; great-grand-children, Faith, Se’von, Zaharyei, Uriah and Quindale Jr.; special great nieces, Cylie and Calyce Newton; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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