One of two children born to Mae Finch Garrett and Benjamin F Garrett, Bert Laurelle Garrett was born on September 25th, 1939, in Paris Kentucky. Following her graduation from Dunbar High School in Dunbar West Virginial, Bert matriculated to West Virginia State University in Institute West Virginia. There she would graduate with her bachelor’s degree in education. While she was attending school, she met the captain of the basketball team, George Earl Holt, or Jake, as he was known about campus. The two wed in 1962 and soon found themselves relocating to Paris France, as George was stationed there serving in the motorized unit of the US Army. From this union came Laurel Denee Holt (deceased) and George Benjamin Garrett Holt, who now resides in Washington DC. It was in Paris France where Bert began her education journey, as she began working for the US Dependent School of Paris. Her talents were quickly noticed, as she eventually rose to become a program director and lead educator for the school.

Upon returning to the United States, they soon found themselves relocating to Cleveland Ohio, were Bert continued her career in education. She first began teaching elementary school in the Cleveland Public School system. Following a short period teaching in elementary, she quickly moved to educating junior high students. She had a massive impact on her students, even having the opportunity to take thirty Cleveland junior high students across the Atlantic to visit five West African Countries. A PBS documentary “African Odyssey” chronicled the trip. She quickly developed a passion for her students and her community and realized that her passion could be used to lift not only a community but an entire region.

Bert had a storied 25-year career as an educator in the city of Cleveland, and no one can argue against the impact she had. When the school system was forced to desegregate in the mid 1970’s, she helped organize training programs aimed at smoothing the transition to a more integrated system. This led to another vital part of the court ordered remedy, the creation of school partnerships with community organizations and local businesses. As Director of University Business and Cultural Partnerships for the Cleveland Public schools, Bert made sure that every Cleveland school had a corporate and university partner impacting their total school. All students had cultural and educational experiences within University Circle, incorporated institutions, and cultural organizations throughout the area thanks to her leadership. And she involved everyone in the education process; Corporate CEOs, University Presidents, Labor Leaders, civic organizations, local, state, and federal officials were all involved in creating these educational partnerships. The success of her program was recognized nationally, even garnering praise and support from the White House.

But her biggest challenge professionally came in 1995 when she was requested to run the city’s newly created school voucher and tutoring program. There was much resistance to the program, as both need and purpose were questioned, but Bert pushed forward, challenging the establishment, and creating hope for those underserved. As she put it many times publicly, the scholarship program was the unique emancipating educational opportunity for the urban poor, and it produced revolutionary results.

To say that Bert was involved in the community is an understatement. She served as the first African American President of the Women’s committee of the Cleveland Orchestra; President of the Links Inc Western Reserve Chapter, Member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc Alpha Omega Chapter; Vice President of Jack and Jill of America Cleveland Chapter; Member Lake Geauga Advisory Committee of the Cleveland Foundation; University School Board of Trustees life member; Charter Board of trustees member HOPE schools and life skills center Cleveland; Cleveland Botanical Garden Board of Trustees;

charter board member of Cleveland Children’s Museum; Cleveland United Way Board of Trustees; and Greater Cleveland Health Educations and Service Council Board of Trustees.

Her passion for her work and for her community was unmatched, but nothing held as much importance as her passion and love for her family. If you knew Bert, you knew this was especially true for her beloved son “Georgie”. “Georgie” stayed on Bert’s mind and heart always. She can be thanked for forging George’s education journey and shepherding him through his experience at University School, into college at University of Pennsylvania and entry into a very successful international banking career. He and his sister were showered with a mother’s love that is truly unmatched. Bert now is rejoined with her beautiful daughter, Denee, in heavenly peace. Bert is survived by her husband of over 60 years, George Earl Holt, Son George Benjamin Garrett Holt, three beautiful grandchildren, daughter-in-law Andrea Clark and a community of family and friends who are filled with a grateful heart from the opportunity to work with her, to break bread with her, and to truly know and love her. May God rest her soul.