Heather Renee Schwartz

Heather Renee Schwartz February 2, 1974 – September 5, 2026 Heather Renee Schwartz, 52, passed away on September 5, 2026, in Crandall, Texas, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, surrounded by family. Heather was born on February 2, 1974, in South Bend, Indiana. As a child, she was fostered by her beloved Momma Ruthie and Preach, who held a special place in her heart throughout her life. She was later adopted by David “Tree” and Alta Schwartz, who proudly became her parents and raised her to have a giant heart. Her family finds comfort in imagining Momma Ruthie and Preach, who went before her, welcoming Heather home and holding her closely once again. Heather grew up at Twin Oaks Community in Louisa, Virginia, where she spent her childhood alongside her spirit sisters, Moriah and Damia. It was the beginning of a life filled with people who became family through love. Heather dedicated much of her life to children and families. She spent many years at All Children’s preschool, where she formed friendships that lasted far beyond her time there. She later served as an Education Specialist with the Early Learning Coalition before continuing her work with WellFlorida/Healthy Start as a Provider Liaison. Her commitment to children extended beyond her professional life. Heather was also a proud founding member of Bikers C.A.R.E. - a child abuse support network, bringing together two things that meant so much to her: her love of motorcycles and her heart for protecting and supporting children. Across every role, the title mattered far less than the purpose behind it. Heather wanted children to be cared for, mothers to be supported, fathers to be encouraged, and families to be stronger. In her own way, she spent her life trying to leave the world a little better than she found it. And Heather certainly knew how to enjoy that world. She was often described as a ray of sunshine - goofy, whimsical, fun-loving, and fiercely independent. She could be ready for an adventure one day and perfectly happy being a homebody the next. She loved traveling with her friend CJ, creating and admiring art, and listening to just about anything that sounded good such as reggae, rock, jazz, folk, and country. And she loved motorcycles. Earning her motorcycle endorsement after taking classes at Harley-Davidson in Crystal River, Florida was one of Heather’s proudest accomplishments. In a wonderfully Heather fashion, the experience gave her more than an endorsement: it also brought her one of her greatest friendships when she met her best friend, Kim. Her love of riding eventually became another avenue for serving others through her involvement with Bikers C.A.R.E. Heather loved being barefoot. She loved her long hair and the color sage green. She loved daffodils, bonfires, tacos, lots and lots of coffee and a cold Michelob Ultra. She loved art, particularly Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Gustav Klimt's The Kiss. She loved the feeling of fall - the pumpkin rolls, cooler evenings, and the movies that came with it. Practical Magic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show were among her favorites. Halloween and Thanksgiving held particularly special places in her heart. She found beauty in things that were colorful, creative, a little unconventional, and full of life - much like Heather herself. More than anything, Heather loved her children to the moon and back. She leaves behind her son, Austin David Odell; her daughter, Amalia Erna Contreras; and her son-in-law, Josue Contreras. She also leaves behind her parents, David “Tree” and Alta Schwartz; her brother, Julius Schwartz; her sister, Mary Margaret Willbanks; her spirit sisters, Moriah and Damia; her best friend, Kim; her dear friend and traveling companion, CJ; and a lifetime’s worth of friends, coworkers, families, and children whose lives were made brighter because Heather was part of them. Heather believed that Jesus Christ was her Savior, and her family takes comfort in believing that those she loved who went before her were there to welcome her home. Heather’s illness was something that happened to her; it was never who she was. It does not get to define her story. Her story is the barefoot woman with the long hair and bright wide eyes on the back of a motorcycle. The mom who loved her children beyond measure. The friend who made people laugh and feel seen. The woman who could change your heart. The person who devoted her career to children and families. The traveler, the listener, the artist, the homebody, the coffee fanatic and the adventurer. The woman who loved. She was independent. She was whimsical. She was sunshine. And she was deeply loved. To the moon and back, forever and always.

Heather Renee Schwartz

February 2, 1974 - September 5, 2026