Bonni Joyce Garrett
Obituary

The Life of Hope. The Gift of Faith. The Legacy of Victory.

Evangelist Bonni Joyce Beasley Garrett was born on May 14, 1942, in Houston, Texas, in the historic Fifth Ward. Born at home, her mother affectionately named her “Bonni,” declaring from the very beginning that she knew this child was mine, a gift from God.

She was raised in a close-knit and enriched family by her late father, Mr. Henry Dewitt Beasley, a builder and a lover of reading, and her mother, Lessie Z. Smith Beasley, who poured into young Bonni unwavering spiritual and emotional support. Most importantly, her mother made sure she knew who God was. Faith was not optional, it was foundational.

Bonni attended Crawford Elementary School and graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School. She later pursued her passion for journalism at Prairie View A&M University, where she sharpened her voice as a writer and advocate. Her work appeared in the Forward Times, a historically Black-owned newspaper founded in 1960 by Julius P. Carter and archived by the Houston Public Library. She also contributed to The Alpine and the Houston Chronicle, whose reach extended from Houston throughout Southeast Texas.Through her journalism, Bonni used her voice to promote positive reform and to highlight issues impacting the Black community, believing that truth-telling was both a civic duty and a moral calling. She later continued her studies in English at Texas Southern University, graduating in 1970, further strengthening the foundation for her lifelong commitment to self-improvement, personal growth, and advancement.

As a young woman, Bonni was bold, captivating, and unwavering in her convictions. She participated in peaceful sit-ins at establishments that denied service based on the color of her skin. She marched alongside leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and stood for justice, equality, and dignity. In a time when systemic injustice was normalized, Bonni saw it clearly and she fought the good fight of faith through works, courage, and peaceful protest.She was a protector of her younger siblings' self-esteem and a firm believer in doing what was right. At the same time, she deeply admired her older siblings, often seeking to emulate their strength, beauty, grace, and accomplishments in her own affectionate and determined way. She honored those who came before her while courageously paving her own path. As the ninth child of her parents’ union, she carried both strength and responsibility with grace.

Following her heart, nearly 1,670 miles away from home, she took a leap of faith, and the net caught her. It was there that she met and married the love of her life, James Garrett, who affectionately called her Joyce. Together they built a family of five and shared decades of marriage filled with joy, trials, triumphs, laughter, and unwavering love until his untimely departure on June 8, 2018. Their union helped shape the resilient, witty, and strong woman we celebrate today.

In January 6, 1981, Bonni began working in the Compton School District beginning her term at Davis middle school while raising her four children, three rumbunctious  boys and one active girl all over Los Angeles, California. Time moved forward, and she welcomed another precious addition to the family, a baby girl. Even while being a devoted wife and the mother of five, she pushed forward in her educational pursuits, earning accolades and professional recognition along the way. She obtained two life specialization credentials, qualifying her to teach at all levels through adult education in Journalism, History, ESL, English, and Basic Education and life clearing completion of staff development instruction.

She did all of this with grace, never once complaining, or allowing her children to see the weight of the challenges she carried in her pursuits of excellence. She shielded them from the strain, choosing instead to model strength, perseverance, and steadfastness. She served as a national delegate and contributed her expertise as a writer of the advisory committee for the McDougal English curriculum. Her influence extended beyond the classroom, shaping instructional materials that would impact countless students.

Her spiritual rededication came at Tower of Faith C.O.G.I.C., when she followed her eldest son Marc to the altar after hearing the message.  From that moment forward, she never turned back. She continued running for Jesus with passion, proclaiming victory, stepping boldly into God’s promises, and giving Him all glory and praise. She carried herself with dignity because she understood she represented Christ everywhere she went. After faithfully serving at Tower of Faith under the leadership of Pastor Reuben P. Anderson Bonni made the courageous decision to uproot her family from Lynwood, California and establish a new life at Life  C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Bishop Ron M. Gibson. There, she remained active and devoted, serving faithfully, sowing seeds of faith, and pouring into the ministry. After years of service, Mother. Garrett respectively departed Life C.O.G.I.C., and settled in at  5595 Moino Way Drive where she  began touching  and agreeing to mighty works  of the  Lord,    As a committed member of the missionary board, she worked diligently to strengthen and uplift the Women’s Department, encouraging women to grow deeper in their relationship with the Lord and to rise higher in their spiritual calling.

She eventually retired from Roosevelt Middle School in May 2008 after making the daily sacrifice of waking up at 3:00am and departing at 4:00am to catch the 3 modes of transportation to arrive at work on time and ready to enrich the lives of others. Staying  true to her determined spirit, she did not stop there. In October 2008, she accepted a position with the Moreno Valley School District, where she continues to be active and highly sought after throughout the district, still mentoring, still teaching, and still making a difference in the past 24/25 school year.

Throughout it all, her happy place and front row was always her beloved children: Shannon Marc, Patrick Paul (Pat), Craig Kaiser, Pamela Joyce (Pam), and Kianna Nicole. They were her greatest investments. She sowed seeds of faith, discipline, and education into their lives and into the lives of others. She had a keen ability to see the strength within you, even when you could not see it yourself, and she nurtured those gifts, often calling them forth for eternal  gain, while guiding you to use them for the glory of God. For 25 years, she faithfully served at Light of the World Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Superintendent Lawrence C. Ash and Mother Olivia Ash. She taught, mentored, and ministered on the pursuit of holiness and the importance of living a life pleasing to God.

She ensured her children and grandchildren were exposed to church conventions, convocations, Sunday School, prayer services, Bible Band, Evangelistic Outreach Ministries (E.O.M), Vacation Bible school, and ministry to the sick and shut-in. She protected the covenant of God’s Word in her household. Her love of family overflowed into ministry, empowering others to keep God on the throne of their hearts.

She  was truly a soldier in the Army of the Lord. She confessed victory daily. Her first words each morning were, “Well Lord, I thank You and the devil is lie, Her walk with Christ went far beyond her talk. It was not something she performed, it was something she lived. She prayed inwardly and outwardly, letting her voice reach heaven as she called out the names of her loved ones one by one, covering them in prayer, even when they did not know it.

She was an avid reader, just like her esteemed father. She found comfort nestled in books, but above all, in the Book her Bible. Its pages were worn and heavily creased, highlighted, underlined, and circled; its corners gently folded from countless returns. Its words were not merely read, but treasured hidden deep within her heart, guiding her steps, strengthening her spirit, and reminding her, always, of the promises she carried within. In quiet moments, when no one was watching, she sat with God, drawing strength, wisdom, and peace. Her faith was raw, personal, and in your face, a truly  sacred conversation between her soul and her Savior. A life well lived.

Even in her final days, she proclaimed, “I’m healed, and I’m going home.”

Evangelist Bonni Joyce Beasley Garrett passes the torch to her bountiful family to carry her light, to share her faith, and to proclaim victory from generation to generation.She leaves to carry her torch and legacy of light by her five living beloved children:

Marc/Dearenna Garrett, Patrick Paul Garrett, Craig Kaiser Garrett, Pamela Joyce Garrett, and Kianna Nicole/Xavier Devar Rogers.

Her beloved grandchildren: Devan, Charlene (Charlie), Christopher/Gianna (Gigi) Garrett, Torianna, Shannon, Isaiah, Demetra (Bethany), Darnell (D.J.), Troy, Joshua, GarShaun, G’Ariauna (G’Auna), and youngest granddaughter Psalms Anali.

Her great-grandchildren: Malachi, London, Machi, Massiah,  Malayah and the newest addition, who she was so excited to meet Justice.

She is lovingly remembered by her three surviving matriarchs; Sister, Lady  Elder Rebecca Worthy, Dr. Bennie Johnson, and the youngest of the Beasley family, Mrs. Bessie Juanita (Nita) Sanders.  A host of devoted cousins, nieces, nephews, and cherished friends whose lives were forever touched by her love, strength, and joyful spirit. Missionary Evangelist Bonni Joyce Beasley Garret who was known by many names such as; Sis. Garrett, Missionary Bonni Garrett, Mother Garrett, Aunt Bonni, Great Gran-Gran, Gran-Gran, Mom and Momma  pass the torch to her blessed family to carry her light, to share her faith, and to proclaim victory from generation to generation.

“I am thankful for it all. I will give thanks to you Lord, with my whole heart:I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1

Her life was HOPE.

Her faith was a GIFT.

Her legacy will forever remain VICTORY.