Josephine Garner was born May 28, 1949, to the late Cornelius Garner, Sr., and Mrs. Beatrice M. Garner in Birmingham, Alabama. She confessed Christ at an early age. She acquired her education from Industrial High School, now known as A.H. Parker High School, graduating with the class of 1966. After high school, she attended Lawson State Junior College.

She was a member of Mount Hebron Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Murdock. The church was later under the leadership of Reverend J.W. Croom, Sr., Reverend O.L. Burton, and presently Reverend Dr. C. Michael Washington. Sister Josephine served as a member of the sanctuary choir. She worked at Carraway Hospital along with Dawson Memorial Church. She also worked with the Birmingham Board of Education for over 25 years. From there, she retired and eventually went back.

Sister Josephine "Jo" Garner leaves to cherish her memory: her loving daughter, Shameeka (Leon) Ellis; three loving grandchildren, Tiffany Monroe, Charis Thomas, and Dareious E. Maze, Jr.; four great-grandchildren, Ja'Nyia Monroe, Layonna Monroe, LaJuan West, and Quentin Nixon; loving brother, Cornelius Garner, Jr., (Genevieve Bellow) of Atlanta, Georgia; and loving nephews, Derrick Garner (Scherri) and Courtney Garner (Brenda) of Phoenix, Arizona.