Mother Deloris Farrow Garland

July 10, 1943 – August 16, 2026

Her Life and Legacy

Deloris Eulene Fomby was born on July 10, 1943, to the late Cleveland and Opheia Fomby in Ragland, Alabama. She was the fourth child and oldest girl of thirteen children of her parents’ union. After being baptized in the river, at the age of 7, by her childhood pastor,Apostle Perry Thomas, Deloris died on site and was revived through the fervent prayers of her pastor. She received the Holy Ghost at age 9 and began a life of service in the will of God that ultimately drew most of her siblings to Christ to be saved. The testimony ofher revival would be shared with believers and nonbelievers alike to the power of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Over the next 76 Years, she was a living testament to God having the final say and the devil being defeated.

As a child, she valued family and education. She graduated with honors from St. Clair County Training School in Pell City, Alabama, in 1962 and later moved to Brooklyn, NewYork. While attending Green Avenue Church, under the guise of Bishop Chris Dobbins,she met and married Minister Curtis Farrow on December 31, 1964. She and her husband attended the Church of Christ Bible Institute in New York. In 1972, they moved to Greensboro, North Carolina. This 44-year union birthed 7 children and a ministry that would be established in Greensboro, NC. Together, they founded Rehobeth Tabernacle,where she was charged with selling dinners to raise money for the church and was renowned for her fried chicken dinners and sweet potato pies. As she grew in the word, she faithfully served as a Sr Missionary, Lead Teacher with the Sunday School Dept,Board Member, Greeter, Hospitality Committee, First Lady and Senior Mother as she moved in accordance with her calling and being led by the Holy Spirit.

As one who fostered success in all areas that she endeavored, Mother Farrow was an advocate for education and became skilled in various professional arenas. She excelled in areas of finance and banking holding positions at the Federal Reserve in NY and NCNB (currently known as Bank of America). As a Leader and Teacher, she used kindness and wisdom to teach, counsel, console and motivate many generations through challenges which created lifelong positive relationships and prosperity for recipients. At the tender age of 50, she fulfilled a childhood dream of attaining RN and BSN credentials from NC A&T State University. She settled into the niche of home healthcare as her preferred discipline, where she thrived until she retired in 2006.

In November 2008, her husband, Bishop Curtis Farrow Sr., transitioned to be with the Lord. She continued to faithfully with God and give selflessly to all those that were in need. In 2013, God miraculously healed her of a brain tumor. With a renewed mind to serve, she set her path to work and volunteer with the Disabled Veterans Association where she was able to assist those that were challenged in ways that were like that of her late husband.

In 2011, she was blessed to be found by and later wed the second love of her life, Deacon Samuel Garland while attending Refuge Temple in Burlington, NC. Together, they served that ministry until they were led to their current church home, New Jerusalem Cathedral, in Greensboro NC. At her new church home, Mother Deloris Garland was an avid fundraiser and hospitality guru. She was a teacher, friend, confidante, and mother figure to many. She served faithfully at New Jerusalem Cathedral Church of Sound Doctrine as a member and officer of GGO (God's Gift in Operation) and as a greeter. Even from her wheelchair, she participated in the Rainbow Tea Fundraising Event with GGO. As a part of the GGO, she spearheaded a fundraising event to assist with providing families with assistance to purchase Christmas gifts for children. Mother will be sincerely missed by all who loved her.

Those Who Will Cherish Her Memory

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cleveland and Opheia Fomby; nine brothers, Roy, Oscar, Bobby, Kenneth, Orbin, Jimmy, Raymond, Benjamin, and Lonnie Fomby; her first husband, Bishop Curtis Farrow, Sr.; one son-in-law, John Carmona, Jr.; one son, Ray (Lil Ray) Farrow; one daughter, Lakisha Farrow; and one great-grandson, Vincent Benjamin Elliot.

She leaves to cherish the memory of her love and grace her devoted husband, Deacon Samuel Garland; three daughters, Tonia, Tunina, and Surena; two sons, Curtis Jr.(Priscilla) and Maurice; fourteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Dollie Jo Ragland, Mrs. Edith Hendrix (Lonnie), and Sister Lottie Fomby; three sisters-in-law, Dale, Kathryn, and Vanessa Fomby; five goddaughters, Alicia McCullough, Latrice Winstead, Phebe Eley, Christie Harriston, and Donna Dixon; one godson, Anthony Shoffner; and a dear friend of more than sixty years, Apostle James Maye.

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends will also cherish their memories of Mother Deloris Farrow Garland.

A Wake will be held Saturday, August 22, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm Cassie Coote Memorial Chapel at Perry J. Brown Funeral Home 909 East Market Street Greensboro, North Carolina. 

Visitation  will be held Sunday, August 23, 2026 2:30pm New Jerusalem Cathedral Church 1822 Sharpe Road Greensboro, North Carolina. Funeral will begin at  3:00pm .

Entombment will be Tuesday, August 25, 2026 11:00am Lakeview Memorial Park 3600 North O' Henry  Boulevard Greensboro, North Carolina..