Garland Markham was born Jan. 24, 1948, in Hazlehurst (Copiah County), Mississippi to Mr. Houston Markham Sr. and Mrs. Ethel Tanner Markham. He was the fourth of seven children. Garland was educated in the Brookhaven, Mississippi, school district, attending Alexander High School, graduating in 1967. While attending Alexander High School, Garland played drums in the marching and concert bands and held the title of “section leader” of the drum section.

After graduating high school, Garland achieved his life’s desire of becoming an on-air professional disc jockey having jobs in various markets of the United States. He was known professionally as “Wild Child,” specifically having his most success in Memphis, Tennessee, and ending his career in Atlanta, Georgia.

Garland was a son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend to many and a dad. Garland was non-judgmental and most importantly, Garland was unpretentious (not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent or culture than is actually possessed). What you saw is what you got.

Garland was preceded in death by his father, Houston Markham Sr.; his mother, Ethel Tanner Markham; three brothers, Larry Markham, Johnny Lee Markham Sr. and Houston Markham Jr.; and his wife of 43 years, Charlene Polk Markham.

Garland departed this life on July 30, 2020. He leaves to cherish his memory: four daughters, Marty Markham, Tiffany Markham Thomas (Columbus), Camille Markham and Candice Woods; one son, Mitchell Jenkins; six grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Markham (Ann) and Bruce Markham; one sister, Brenda Markham Henderson (Evins); two sisters-in-law, Annie Pearl Markham and Emma Markham; two special friends, Karen Prewitt and Vicki Woods; his Life-long ‘Key Pilot’, Sylvester Everhart (Ann); and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.