Remembering Amber

MILTON — Friends and family gathered at the Guy Thompson Community Center last Sunday to celebrate the life of Amber Robinson. The former Pace resident was killed in Kentucky on July 7. She had traveled to Kentucky for a Rainbow Family of Living Light event.

"Her plans were to meet her mother in California," said Amy Elliott, Amber's foster mother for the past three years. Amber had aged-out of the foster care program turning 18 shortly after graduating high school and was looking forward to her future in college according to Elliott. Elliott said she had scholarships to the University of West Florida and Northwest Florida State College, but had not decided where she would attend.

Elliott organized the memorial service with activities that were important to Amber – art and according to Elliott tacos. There was a rock-painting table where mourners could decorate and leave messages to Amber. The Gulf Coast kid's House will display the finished rocks in her memory Elliott said.

"Amber loved tacos … so for today we'd like you to like them too," Elliott said, and invited everyone to the free food.

"I met here at Graffiti Bridge," said Taylor Hunt. "She used to babysit my daughter." Hunt said Amber used to go to places where everyone was accepted.

"Her art and story are compelling," Taylor said.

Elliott said Amber's siblings would spread her ashes in California at the end of the year.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Remembering Amber