Deputy Heather Yvonne Avery (Stutes)

Heather Avery Stutes left to be with the Lord on April 24, 2026. She was born on March 19, 1978, in Odessa, Texas to Beverly (Holder) Patrick and Ron Holder.  Heather attended Permian High School (Odessa, 1996), Odessa College (1997), and Christ for the Nations (2001) before receiving her bachelor’s degree (2013) and master’s degree (2017) from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Heather had a zest for life and found fun and excitement in time spent with others—from dressing up for neighborhood Halloween parties with her daughter, to painting parties with her aunt and friends, and to fishing, hunting, and off-roading with her husband, Troy. She enjoyed singing with the Symphony of the Southeast Texas chorale and the Beaumont Interfaith Choral Society. Recently, Heather had taken up painting to explore her artistic side, like her grandmother did.

One of Heather’s biggest accomplishments was passing the Lamar Institute of Technology’s Police Academy, and then the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) exam—at 44 years old. In 2026, she completed the final assessment certification needed to evaluate officers as they completed their TCOLE exam. She also worked privately with officers as they prepared for their shooting proficiency exam. Heather felt it was an honor to wear her badge and to serve as a police officer, and lately as a reserve deputy constable, and she treasured working with her law enforcement colleagues. She particularly valued her friendships and working relationships with those associated with Freedom Firearms and Defense, where she currently served as the Training Director and a private instructor.

Heather is preceded in death by both of her parents; her maternal grandparents, Yvonne and Wilson Hrbacek; her paternal grandparents, L.J “Sonny” and Lovell Juanell Holder; and a sister, Brandi Holder.  She is survived by her husband, Troy; a daughter, Katelin Tatom; and granddaughter, Kamber Tatom; two stepchildren, Bryan Stutes and Brittany Smith, and two step-grandsons, Carson and Aiden Stutes; and a sister, Lindsey Whidden; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Justices of the Peace & Constables Association of Texas (JPCA) Scholarship Fund or the Symphony of Southeast Texas, 4345 Phelan Boulevard No. 105, Beaumont, Texas 77707.

A gathering of Deputy Avery’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Praise Church, 8150 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 1, 2026, at Praise Church. Her committal will be held at Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.