Louise (Lambert) Garman
Files
Dublin Core
Title
Louise (Lambert) Garman
Subject
Garman, Louise (Lambert) (1926- )
Description
Portrait of Louise Lambert Garman as a young woman.
Louise was the oldest of five children born to Benjamin Eli (1903-1978) and Sada Catherine (Coffman) (1903-2002) Lambert. When she was quite young, her parents rented a farm in the Madison District of Shenandoah County. By 1940, the family owned a farm in the Stonewall District.
In 1947, Garman accepted a position as a clerk at the old Ben Franklin on North Main Street in downtown Woodstock. She did a little bit of everything, from unpacking merchandise to cleaning the counters, but she was mostly known for her feature bins, which held popular items like plush bunnies, ducks, or seasonal decor.
About six months later, Louise married the boss’s son, Donald Herbert Garman (1917-1989). By 1950, the couple lived in Woodstock and had a 10-month old daughter, Constance “Connee” L. Garman. Three additional children arrived later.
In 1966, Ben Franklin moved to the Woodstock Shopping Center and by 1968 it included a drugstore and a small diner that seated 16. In 1976, when the Safeway moved out, Ben’s Diner moved to where it sits today, allowing the diner and Ben Franklin to be joined via doors. In October 2010, Ben Franklin closed its doors permanently. Louise continued her work at Ben’s Diner, and became known for her holiday stuffing every year. The line of waiting customers would stretch outside when it was available.
In June 2023, Louise retired from Ben’s Diner after a career that spanned 76 years. She was 96 years old and still sharp.
Louise was the oldest of five children born to Benjamin Eli (1903-1978) and Sada Catherine (Coffman) (1903-2002) Lambert. When she was quite young, her parents rented a farm in the Madison District of Shenandoah County. By 1940, the family owned a farm in the Stonewall District.
In 1947, Garman accepted a position as a clerk at the old Ben Franklin on North Main Street in downtown Woodstock. She did a little bit of everything, from unpacking merchandise to cleaning the counters, but she was mostly known for her feature bins, which held popular items like plush bunnies, ducks, or seasonal decor.
About six months later, Louise married the boss’s son, Donald Herbert Garman (1917-1989). By 1950, the couple lived in Woodstock and had a 10-month old daughter, Constance “Connee” L. Garman. Three additional children arrived later.
In 1966, Ben Franklin moved to the Woodstock Shopping Center and by 1968 it included a drugstore and a small diner that seated 16. In 1976, when the Safeway moved out, Ben’s Diner moved to where it sits today, allowing the diner and Ben Franklin to be joined via doors. In October 2010, Ben Franklin closed its doors permanently. Louise continued her work at Ben’s Diner, and became known for her holiday stuffing every year. The line of waiting customers would stretch outside when it was available.
In June 2023, Louise retired from Ben’s Diner after a career that spanned 76 years. She was 96 years old and still sharp.
Creator
Morrison Studio
Source
Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
Publisher
Shenandoah County Library
Date
Labelled "April 1945" on box of plates.
Contributor
Identified by Lorraine B. Zirkle.
Addtional biographical information was compiled from public records.
The Northern Virginia Newspaper published a feature article (including a photograph) about her life and legacy on June 2, 2023. We have extracted information from that article to use here.
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
Identifier
007033
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Glass Negative
Collection
Citation
Morrison Studio, “Louise (Lambert) Garman,” Shenandoah County Library Archives, accessed April 27, 2024, http://archives.countylib.org/items/show/24551.
Comments