Algood Genealogy

12543. Thad Wilson⁸ Garner (Ila Jane⁷ Hoots, Gennette Emiline⁶ Allgood, John William⁵, Henry Robert⁴, William (Pikey) Henry³, William John², Edward¹) was born in Forsyth Co., NC May 21, 1912. Thad died April 15, 1997 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC. OBIT: T.W. Garner married Mildred Louise Barbee on April 11, 1937.

Just out of high school, T.W. decided to use his college money to purchase a local BBQ restaurant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Great Depression saw the restaurant close but the Garner's continued to make the then popular BBQ sauce in their home kitchen. Soon folks were asking for a spicier sauce and T.W. began to experiment with a cayenne pepper sauce. Time came to name the product and the family agreed the name should be "American". Combining Texas (a place in the US known for spicy food) with his younger brother's nickname, Texas Pete was born.

In 1949 the three brothers and their father incorporated as the T.W. Garner Food Company in Winston-Salem. The company is till active today making one of America's favorite hot sauces, as well as other products.

He married Mildred Louise Barbee April 11, 1937 in Forsyth Co., NC. Mildred was born January 20, 1916 in Nashua, Hillsborough Co., NH. Mildred died December 31, 2002 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC. Thad became President of the Garner Food Company, maker of Texas Pete Hot Sauce, with sales throughout the southeast United States.

Thad Wilson Garner and Mildred Louise Barbee had the following child:

26441 i. Kathryn Wilkins⁹ Garner (LIVING).

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Last Updated: July 21, 2023