Maritri Garrett was a beautiful, radiant light in this world. Her music transported and transcended love, leaving a sacred and lasting imprint on every heart she touched. Those who knew Maritri also know how much "The Girls" meant to her. Now, her twenty-year-old niece, Rylee Garrett, is stepping into an unimaginable role after Maritri’s passing: head of household and primary caretaker of the family home in San Bernardino, CA—while continuing her full-time studies at Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR.

Rylee isn't just a college junior anymore. She is now responsible for maintaining a home and managing all that comes with it. She was faced with the unexpected costs of honoring Maritri’s life, including cremation and funeral service expenses. Rylee also must navigate the unexpected legal and financial complexities that have come with this loss.

We are coming together to support Rylee with both immediate memorial expenses and the next two years of household and living costs, ensuring she can continue her education while maintaining a stable home during this period of profound change.

This fund will help cover essential, ongoing, real-life costs that Rylee is suddenly carrying alone: funeral and memorial expenses, household responsibilities (property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, internet, pest control, grounds maintenance, household repairs), personal and daily living needs (car maintenance, gas, auto insurance, cell phone, groceries), to balance the support for her education. Funds will be distributed over the next 24 months of her remaining college career to align with monthly bills and seasonal expenses (taxes, repairs, etc.). We have also identified a trust & estate professional to function as Rylee's financial mentor and help her to responsibly navigate the immediate influx of funds.

If you love Maritri, this is a way to honor her: by making sure her niece, Rylee doesn't have to choose between holding her home together and building her future. Thank you for any and all support you are able to offer.

NOTE: when making your contribution, you can choose "Enter custom tip" and enter $0 in the Tip section. Tips *are not* mandatory.