Amber M Graves

Age: 37

Date of Death: December 27, 2020

Ruskin, FL

Amber Michelle Graves, 37, fought the good fight before dying peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital Tampa on December 27, 2020, with her family by her side. Born in Indiana on November 9, 1983, she spent the first 33 years of her life there. Amber and her daughter then moved to the west coast of Florida to be with the love of her life. A mermaid at heart, Amber felt most at home on the beach. Her house is decorated with sayings like “I wasn’t born at the beach, but I got here as fast as I could” or “Heaven is a little closer in a home by the water.” Feisty by nature, Amber kept everyone on their toes. She spoke her mind but those she loved she loved fiercely. She loved horror movies, the scarier the better. She also loved White Castle’s and was disappointed to find there were none in Florida, so much so that her dad once shipped a whole case to her. If asked what her greatest accomplishment in life was, she would tell you that it was giving birth to her daughter Jazmyn, her “Butterscotch.” The two of them were inseparable, peas in a pod. Their favorite song was My Wish by Rascal Flatts, and Jazmyn played it for her mom just before she died. Family time would often find the 3 of them spending time at the beach, swimming in the ocean, watching the sunsets or taking goofy pictures. Amber loved cruises, and one of the highlights of her life was getting to swim with dolphins in Honduras. Aside from the beach or the ocean, Busch Gardens and Sea World were two places where she loved to spend time. Amber is survived by her fiancé, Joe Burgio, and daughter, Jazmyn Solis, of Ruskin, FL; father Jim Alford and his wife Cindy, of Palm Bay, FL. Additional survivors include her mother Linda Pack, brothers James and Joshua Alford and sister Erin (Joel) Renten, all of Indianapolis, IN. She is also survived by countless aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins. At Amber’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Her wish was to be cremated and her ashes scattered over the water, which will be done at a later date. While we know Amber is at peace, and without pain, she will be sorely missed by all who loved her.