Amarillo, TX - Amy Elizabeth Partner Yager, 26, of Amarillo, TX, formerly of Franklin and Hampton, VA, died tragically at her home in Amarillo on Friday, September 12, 2008, a victim of domestic violence. She was born in Price, UT, on July 13, 1982, to Karl Taylor Partner and the late Deborah Anne Partner.
Amy graduated from Southampton Academy in Courtland, VA, in 2000 on academic scholarship. She attended Brigham Young University – Hawaii for 1½ year. During her time in Hawaii, Amy developed a love of the ocean, having taken up the sport of surfing. Because of her love of the ocean she then joined the U.S. Navy and served for 3 years as a petty officer pursuing a career as an EOD diver and underwater welder, until a hip injury resulted in her Honorable medical discharge. Amy then moved from Hampton, VA to Texas in 2006, attending Amarillo College and transferring to West Texas A&M, majoring in Interior Design and a minor in Business. Amy adopted, practiced and enjoyed many qualities of the Buddhist faith in her adult life.
She is survived by her father and stepmother, Karl and Laurie Partner of Palmyra, VA; brothers and sisters, Jason Partner of Page, AZ, Seth Partner of Westchester County, NY, Sam Partner, Tess Partner, and Ashley Herndon all of Palmyra, VA, and Matthew Herndon of Scottsville, VA. She has one nephew, William Taylor Partner of Page, AZ. Her two surviving grandmothers are Mrs. Beth Partner of Dolores, CO and Mrs. Dorothy Stephens of Charlottesville, VA. Amy was predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Gilberta Blume Kotsch and paternal grandfather, Alfred A. Partner. Amy has many loving aunts, uncles and cousins, who are also mourning her death.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, VA. The funeral will be held at 1 pm, Thursday, September 18, at Wright Funeral Home with Bishop Jim Council presiding. Interment will follow at Poplar Spring Cemetery in Franklin where Amy will be laid to rest beside her mother. The family will then receive friends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Homestead Road in Franklin following the interment. A memorial service will be held at a later date by close friends in Amarillo, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made, in Amy's name, to one of the charitable organization very near to Amy's heart. Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence Outreach and Awareness, or a branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Please refer to your local directory for the address closest to you. Wright Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. www.wrightfuneralhome.org