Heather Garrett

Heather Lotz Garrett, age 47, passed away Monday, May 31, 2021, in a tragic flash flood accident near her home in Tinnie, New Mexico.

Heather was born February 1974 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She graduated in 1992, having attended Scotlandville Magnet and Belaire High Schools. She proudly served in the Army as a combat medic for 24 years, having served all over the world, including 3 combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Anyone who knew Heather would say that she was the toughest person they had ever met, but also the most loving. She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it, or throat punch anyone who dared mess with someone she cared about. She would not flinch treating the most gruesome injuries in the field (and would tell you about them in excruciating detail) but would turn around and speak the silliest baby talk to her horde of rescue cat fur babies. She extended her ring of protection to those she served in her role as a mentor and advocate for sexual assault victims. Helping others was her passion; she was a guardian and a warrior. She was a stalwart friend, a fearless medic, a healer for the broken and lost.

Her perfect day would be spent with her friends and family watching LSU win a football game with a lucky bowl of gumbo in hand, or a day at the beach downing umbrella drinks and laughing at James and his antics.

Heather is survived by her husband, James Garrett, her daughter RayLyn Ezell, her stepfather David Cummings, her father Harold Lotz, and her sister Shannon Lotz Norton. She was preceded in death by her mother, Daphne Cummings.

A celebration of her life will be held at the family home in Tinnie, New Mexico, on July 4, 2021, beginning with a crawfish boil at noon and followed by a casual remembrance for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Heather’s name to a trusted nonprofit foundation that serves sexual assault survivors. It would make her happy to know that she is still making a positive difference in the lives of those she worked so hard to help during her life.

COMBAT MEDIC PRAYER:
Oh, Lord I ask for your divine
strength to meet the demands of
my profession. Help me to be the
finest medic, both technically and
tactically.

If I am called to the
battlefield, give me the courage to
conserve our fighting forces by
providing medical care to all who
are in need.

If I am called to a
mission of peace, give me the
strength to lead by caring for
those who need my assistance.
Finally, Lord help me to take care
of my own spiritual, physical, and
emotional needs.

Teach me to trust in your
presence and never-failing love.
AMEN