Amber Paige Queen entered the gates of heaven Sunday night, June 18th, 2023.
She was surrounded by her family on the beautiful Sunday; hearing giggles from her niece and nephew, her favorite songs, and holding hands with her parents and sister. She truly left in peace, where she met Jesus as he led her to her eternal home in Heaven.
Amber loved life. She was always smiling, happy, and looking to make sure those around her were cherished and cared for. She was an athlete from an early age, playing softball, soccer, basketball, and any sport she could join. She begged her family to play football when she was just a tiny little thing. On the basketball court they called her spud and in soccer she was “Little Amber”. She amazed and caught everyone by surprise with her ability to kick and dribble with both hands and feet. She ran marathons for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation as an advocate for IBD. In 2014 she was named National Team honored hero where she was recognized in San Fransisco. She was consistently spreading awareness and love to those battling Crohns close to her and the world over. Amber loved to teach. She loved her students as if they were her own. She taught at North Liberty, a school for children with special needs, and went on to receive a full scholarship at Vanderbilt University for her masters in Special Education. She was kind, loving, and had a huge heart; striving to ensure those around her were cared for. She once took off her brand new shoes and gave them to a stranger in need and would routinely buy to-go meals and deliver them to the homeless on the streets. She loved others and she loved big!
Amber said it best when addressing Crohns, “Thank you for preparing me for the bad news; without bad news, we wouldn’t know what good news feels like.”
Amber is survived by her parents, Michael and Diana Queen, sister, Bethany Van Pelt, brother in law, Byron Van Pelt, niece and nephew Charlotte and Henry Van Pelt, grandparents, Edith and Leonard Bradley, a beloved cousin, Brandi Martino, aunts and uncles Benji & Pat Queen, Jerry & Brenda Queen, Patricia & Ronnie Epley, Kevin & Sherri Queen, Ben & Margaret Bradley, Kathy & Audey Clark, Cynthia & David Hart, Tina & Bob Still, John & Brooke Bradley, Lisa & Rodney Cox, Sara & Rodney Sisk, numerous, numerous cousins, and her sweet cat, Oliver. She joined grandparents in heaven; Dorothy (Dot Dot) and Jack Queen and cousin, Matthew Bradley.
A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Mount Calvary Baptist Church (709 Praley St. S. Valdese, NC 28690) with Rev. Stephen Collins officiating.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese.
Memorials may be made to Funding Chrohn’s and Colitis Research at cure4ibd.org or Mount Calvary Baptist Church Youth at 704 Praley St. S. Valdese, NC 28690.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese is assisting the family.
Love and prayers for all the family. So very, very sorry for your loss. May God bring you comfort and peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Much love,
Leigh, Todd and Grayson Southard
Diana and MIchael,
I am so so sorry for your loss. Amber was such a lovely young lady inside and out from all the comments and just looking at her photo. She just beams in her picture. I am praying for all of you to have comfort, peace and strength now and in the days to come.
Always,
Rama Jean Franklin
I am so sorry for your loss Michael and Diana. I did not know Amber personally but I can tell she was a wonderful person and servant. My prayers are with youall and the rest of the family. May His comfort and strength be with youall during this difficult time.
Because of Him, Tony Kent
So glad that we crossed paths when we were raising our families together in Valdese. We have many wonderful memories with Amber and your entire family. Her light shines brightly and will continue to inspire us as we remember her courage, sense of humor, and love for life. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I was truly saddened to hear of Amber’s passing, she was defintely a strong, brave young woman, who was special in so many ways. Unfortunately, before the healing begins, there is simply the daily survivival of this unimaginable pain, so be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to grieve. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
This scripture helped me during times of great loss: Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” May God Bless You!
Love and Prayers for the whole family. So sorry to hear this news.
As a mother of a Crohn’s warrior, my heart aches for you all. She gave you SO much to be proud of. She shined her light well and fought the oh so painstaking fight! You also fought the fight. You fought with all your hearts and souls and would’ve traded places in a heartbeat given the chance. We all would for our warriors.
Be gentle with yourselves. I know the plights you have endured.
So very sorry for your loss.Amber was a very sweet person .It was a joy working with her at NLS. Sheila Norville
My prayers for the family. What a great testimony written by the family. We are thinking of you.
Diana, we the Bakers are so sorry to hear about Amber. I can’t imagine what you are going through right now. May God give you Comfort ànd Peace in the days ahead. We are Praying for you all
Love the Bakers
Mike and Diana, I know your hearts are heavy, right now. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of so many as you go through this terrible loss of your daughter. Just know I care.
With love and sympathy to all the family,
Guinn Huffman
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter. Praying for you Diana your husband and your family. I ask God to comfort you through this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear about Amber! I was asking just a couple of months ago if anyone had heard from her. She was a kind and friendly person. She always brought joy and laughter to me when she worked with me at the Valdese Rec. Prayers 🙏 and love ❤️ for the family
May God give you all comfort and peace during this season of your lives! RIP Amber!
Dear Family of Amber’s,
I didn’t know her, but, I would have loved to! I couldn’t have children, but, couldn’t imagine losing one! Her smile captivated me and I had to read her obituary which melted my heart!
What a beautiful, lovely, amazing young woman that you raised and can always be proud of! That I’m sure is saving a seat for y’all in God’s Amazing place prepared for His own!
Please take solace in His word as Amber’s would want you to do! 🙏💕
Diana, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. Prayers and condolences for you and your family. I am Wayne Harris. We met in the hospitality house at atrium in Charlotte. I was there with my son Robbie. Your dedication and your loyalty to your daughter was amazing.. I pray for comfort in this time off tragic loss.
Deepest sympathy.
Diana, I remember stories that you told about your two precious little girls when we worked together years ago. Although we didn’t know your girls personally, it is evident that Amber was a very beautiful young lady inside and out. We are sure that you instilled the same values and qualities in Bethany as well. We pray that your family will feel the comfort and peace of The Holy Spirit now and in the days ahead. Psalms 34:18
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” Please know that we are lifting your family up in our prayers.
Diana, Michal and Bethany, We are so saddened to hear of the passing of your beautiful daughter. Our thoughts and prayers are that God embraces each of you and pulls you up close to himself. Love and prayers in Jesus. Eddie and Robin Carswell
Diana my heart goes out to you. You and your family are in my prayers
We Are Praying For The Family. GOD Bless You All And Keep You All In HIS HANDS.
I met Amber years ago when she was a substitute at Chesterfield. She made a major impression on me. She was always so sweet, cheerful, and Christlike, a sheer joy to work with! I lost touch with her over the years, but thought of her often. I know she is at peace now because she loved God and everyone. Prayers and love to your family.
Holly Ramsey