Amanda Courtney Venable

Amanda Venable of Garland, Texas died September 10, 2020, an evening shy of her 40th birthday. Beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, and very special aunt, she was a force, an endlessly generous spirit, and a light in any room. 

After graduating from Garland High School, Amanda attended Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Texas at Dallas, earning her teaching degree in 2005. She then joined Hightower Elementary in Plano, TX where she remained for her entire career. She served as the team leader for Fourth Grade, and loved her students fiercely. Ever adoring a captive audience, Amanda lived for the classroom, indelibly sharing her very special passion for education with hundreds of children. It was her God-given gift, and it will be her legacy. 

Outside the halls of Hightower, Amanda enjoyed placing her energy in adoring, teaching, and spoiling her niece and nephew, who she loved as her own, and who now and forever believe that she hung the moon. 

Amanda was predeceased by her grandparents, Artemus and Haskie Rushing; grandfather, Billy Pat McElyea; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her parents, Wayne and Glenda McElyea of Garland; her sister, Ashley Flotte, brother-in-law Michael Flotte, and niece and nephew, Camilla and Jonah Flotte, of Richardson; her grandmother, Nelwyn McElyea of Garland; her former husband and current friend, Mark Venable of Dallas; and numerous friends and family. We thank you for social distancing and wearing masks.