‘I will never stop speaking out’
Foundation honors Jennifer Garrett, works to help domestic violence victims
TEXARKANA — A painting of Jennifer Rose Garrett on display at the Washington Community Development Center portrays her bright blue eyes and the sunny smile her family and friends knew well. But the painting also depicts another side of Jennifer. The face many people didn’t see.
The face of domestic violence.
Garrett’s friends and family have started the nonprofit Jennrose Foundation to honor her life and help other victims of domestic violence.
“Stand up for me … Protect me … Advocate for me … Know the signs” are phrases written on the painting.
“She was so caring and giving. She had a big heart for people. She had so many best friends and she showed up for every one of them. It (best friend) was not just a title, it was action,” Trystin Reed said.
Reed is one of many of Garrett’s longtime friends who are still grieving her loss. Garrett
died on Aug. 11, 2021.
A Bowie County jury recently convicted Travis Turner, her on-and-off boyfriend for several years, of her murder and sentenced him to life in prison.
Friends and family did not see the domestic abuse in Garrett’s relationship, Reed said.
“We never saw the signs,” she said.
Garrett lived her life helping people and loving people from all walks of life, and the foundation wants to carry on her legacy.
The Jennrose Foundation hopes to offer resources, counseling, life skills and self-worth classes to anyone in need. It will also collect clothes and household items for domestic violence victims who leave a situation with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
The foundation will be housed in a room named the “Jennrose” room at the Washington Community Development Center in Texarkana, Arkansas.
“We are remodeling it and decorating it, and the entire room was inspired by Jennifer,” Reed said.
Friends waited for the completion of the trial before putting finishing touches on the room. They hope to have it open by April and offer three to five classes a week.
“We want to help people by offering household items, clothing or a listening ear,” Reed said.
Reed is vice president of the foundation, and Garrett’s mother, Michele Garrett, is president.
The painting of Garrett is by Texarkana native Megan Williams. Reed reached out to Williams hoping she could create an art piece that foundation members can carry with them when they speak about domestic violence.
The foundation is giving Garrett’s friends and family something positive to focus on.
“It’s keeping her name out there. about domestic violence,” Reed said.