Amanda Myers

Amanda Myers was a young lady with a heart for others, aspiring to be a nurse and desiring to help those around her in any way she could. She didn't have much money, but she frequently bought things for others to express her love and concern for them. When she got an idea in her head, she was determined to stick with it and did not hesitate to let others know about it. She was thoughtful, had a good sense of humor, loved to tell jokes and had a very a distinct, free-spirited laugh.

Named after a Waylon Jennings song, Amanda was born at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo on the morning of October 28, 1982. She arrived a few weeks early, her way of letting her parents know in advance that she was going to do things her way and that they shouldn't get too comfortable. The nursery wasn't quite ready for her, and her grandmother finished it while her mother was recuperating.

Amanda was the first of three girls born to Tim and Sue (Haines) Myers. She became the watchful big sister, keeping her parents informed by making a list of all of Shannon and Jill's misbehaviors. The girls had the privilege of growing up near their grandparnt’s house, enjoying frequent dips in grandma's pond along with nearby cousins Jereme, Kyle, and Chelsey. Amanda enjoyed riding the golf cart and the little Honda 70 motorcycle around the field. She was quiet and shy, often preferring to keep to herself most of the time. She was very attached to her Mom and would hardly let her out of her sight, which made the first day of school traumatic for both Amanda and her mama. She was involved in Brownies and Girl Scouts and attended Indian Lake Elementary in Vicksburg. School was a challenge at times, but she worked hard and became a good student.

In Middle School, Amanda played the clarinet and practiced diligently, striving to be first chair. In High School she held down a job at Burger King and was proud of her Pontiac Grand Prix. Other jobs that she held down at various times were at TJ Max and Meijers. She was a typical teenager, playing Nintendo and eating pizza and cheeseburgers. She enjoyed a variety of music and found ways to explore and express her own feelings through it. She sometimes communicated through writing and art, but she was also verbal and was not afraid to tell others what she thought. Sometimes she used creative ways to get her point across, like when she was mad at her mom and would sing “Get Over It” by the Eagles.

Like virtually every teenager, Amanda struggled to understand and manage her emotions, but over time she and her family realized that it was necessary and beneficial to seek outside help. At the age of sixteen, she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. The emotional ups and downs she faced were challenging for her and her loved ones, but they looked for hope, rejoicing in the good days. Although often misunderstood, Amanda's struggles helped to grow her compassion for others and her desire to ease their pain.

Amanda had a lifetime friend in Jenny Walker. They had known each other virtually their entire lives. In high school she also became dear friends with Beth Baker and those two friends stuck with Amanda through thick and thin. They understood that Amanda would have some bad days, and she appreciated the fact that they accepted her for who she was. Amanda graduated from Vicksburg High School in 2001.

For a short time, Amanda was married to a man with whom she had things in common, John Bremmer. Though the union did not last, they remained friends. She recently became engaged to Robert McKee, counting that day as one of the happiest in her life. She met Robert while living at Twin Lakes Apartments and they spent many evenings with the friends that they made there, talking, going to the Movies. Amanda eventually moved in with Robert and his mother Judy who gave her both love and support. Recently Robert and Amanda had made plans to move into their own apartment to fulfill their dreams of independence, their commitment to each other and their hopes and dreams to have a family of their own.

Amanda adored her family, and her baby brother Dylan was a great source of joy and comfort for her. She was nineteen years old when he was born, and she loved to spoil him, showering him with affection and calling him B-Ba. She loved taking him to the park and his laughter filled her with joy. On some of her difficult days, Dylan's smile was just the light she needed. Amanda stayed close to her sisters and was always on the phone, sharing the day's events or just being content to know they were on the other end of the line. She was very close to her grandmother, and her family provided her with a strong foundation of comfort and support.

Amanda died on Thursday May 19, 2005, at Bronson Hospital. Members of her family include her parents, Sue Haines and Tim Myers; two sisters, Shannon and Jill Myers, and her brother Dylan Haines; grandparents, James and Bernice Myers and Bev and Charles Haines; her great grandmother, Mildred Skinner; her fiancée, Robert McKee; former husband, John Bremmer; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her grandmother, Joan Haines, Uncle Dean Haines, and step-grandfather Delbert Skinner preceded her in death.

Learn more about Amanda, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Monday, May 23, from 2-4 and from 6-8 p.m. at the ™ - RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday May 24, at the same location. Please visit Amanda's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may archive a favorite memory, order flowers, or make a memorial donation to the Make a Wish Foundation or Lupus Foundation.