The lodge took its name from the late Brother John Berry Garrett (1854 - 1915), an outstanding man and Mason, who served as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. in Tennessee from 1895 until 1915.

Born October 7, 1854, Brother Garrett held many positions of esteem in the Masonic fraternity. He began his Masonic career at the age of 22 and received his symbolic degrees in Western Star Lodge No. 9, at Springfield, TN, in 1876. He later affiliated with Phoenix Lodge #131 in Nashville, TN and served as its Worshipful Master in 1885, and later as its secretary from 1898 until 1911.

Brother Garrett held many positions of esteem in the Masonic fraternity. He was Most Eminent Grand President of the Grand Council, Order of the Preisthood. In 1888 he was elected thrice Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Ryal and Select Masters and joined the Scottish Rite bodies in 1892. He received the Scottish Rite 33rd degree in 1899 and was for many years Deupity of the Soverign Grand Commander of hte Supreme Council. He was a Noble of the Mystic Shrine for 20 years.  He was instrumental in forming hte Order of the Eastern Star in Tennessee and served as its first Worthy Patron.

An excerpt from a speech at his funeral service sums up this resume: "From the time hwas installed as Grand Secretary, February 1, 1895, until his death, he was probably the most active, the most useful, the best known and probably the most universally well beloved Mason in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee."