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Amanda Monroe Carleton, age 40, passed away unexpectedly at home while being surrounded by loved ones on June 2, 2023. She is a beloved wife, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, and friend. Amanda was born to Carlos and Dalia (Vela) Garcia on December 28, 1982, in McAllen, TX. She is the third born of four sisters. She graduated from PSJA North High School on June 2, 2001, and attended Silicon Valley College in San Jose, CA where she earned a certificate in massage therapy. Amanda joined the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 2009 as an Administrative Assistant at Inks Lake State Park in Burnet, TX. It was there in May 2009 that she met her future husband, Eric Carleton, who is a TPWD State Park Police Officer. Amanda and Eric married on December 19, 2010, aboard the Carnival Conquest cruise ship. In March 2011, Amanda and Eric relocated to Sherman, TX, where she accepted a seasonal position at the Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex, Isle du Bois Unit. Through her leadership and tenacity, she worked her way up to Office Manager in 2017 of the Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex, Johnson Branch Unit. Her supervisor and coworkers say her “work ethic and proficiency for running a state park office were extraordinary and she exemplified what it means to give 100% to our mission and to truly love one’s work family.” She was often sought out by other parks for advice on how to improve their own operations. She would often tell her Superintendent, “I’m not the boss, you are. But if I was the boss, this is the way we should be doing this.” And she was usually correct! Amanda was a mentor to many employees and was often asked to serve on work committees and in outreach capacities due to her love for the TPWD mission and her professional representation of the agency. Amanda was also an entrepreneur who started her own business, CVLAR Creations LLC, with her husband in 2022. Amanda was a devoted wife to her husband, Eric, and dog mom to three German Shepherds, Shadow (deceased), Rocky, and Bullwinkle, and loved her cat, Marty. Amanda and Eric traveled the country and world, visiting exotic places all over the Caribbean, Hawaii, and even setting sail on a transatlantic cruise from Barcelona in Spain. She enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and loved ones, but her greatest passions in life were traveling, reading, gambling, having a glass of Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, making wax melts and candles, and spending time with her pets. Amanda was a dear friend and devoted mentor to countless individuals and strived to bring out the very best in every person she encountered. She is survived by her husband Eric Carleton; parents, Carlos and Dalia Garcia; sisters, Veronica Giles, Lisa Garcia, and Rebecca Garcia; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces. Amanda will always be remembered and celebrated as a strong, caring, honest, and generous person who had a radiant smile, infectious laugh, and chose joy over all other distractions in life. To honor Amanda’s memory, we are holding a celebration of life Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 2:00PM at Slay Memorial Funeral Chapel located at 400 S. Hwy. 377 in Aubrey, TX with Scott Eager officiating. A reception will follow from 4:00Pm – 6:00PM. at the First United Methodist Church located at 217 N. Church St. in Pilot Point, TX Honorary pallbearers will be life-long best friends, Yvette Perez, Yvonne Perez-Fuentes, Jennifer Bright, Donna Caskey, Martha Mireles, Rosalba Johnson, and Colleen Bakken. In lieu of flowers the family asks that any donations or contributions be made to Conquer Chiari (https://www.conquerchiari.org/donate), Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org), or ASPCA (https://secure.aspca.org). We invite anyone who knew Amanda to attend, wear bright colors, and remember her wonderful life. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Bradley Shotts and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.

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Amanda Monroe Carleton

December 28, 1982 - June 2, 2023