Amber Lynn "Zant " Bice

MIDLAND Amber Lynn Zant Bice, age 25, passed through the veil to return home into the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father on Monday, May 24, 2010. She and her devoted husband, Matthew Ryan Bice, of Odessa, were living in Carbondale, Ill., where she supported Matt as he worked on his doctorate at Southern Illinois University. Her departure was sudden and unexpected, following a severe asthma attack and the loss of oxygen to her brain.

Amber was born on January 23, 1985, in Midland to Jerry Dan Zant and Heidi Lynn Isaacson Zant. Two brothers followed Amber into her family, Michael Josiah Zant and David Ammon Zant.

"Passionate" is the word used by Matt to describe Amber's personality. Amber loved life, and she became anxiously engaged in everything she did. Her parents quickly learned that Amber was a strong and independent spirit, determined to be in charge of her life and "to do things by herself." As a small child, she became a second mother and protector of her younger brothers, whom she loved dearly.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Amber loved learning about our Savior and His gospel. She quickly memorized and loved singing many songs from the Primary Children's Songbook, one of her favorites being "I Am a Child of God." She shared her testimony of the living Christ in word and deed throughout her life. Amber earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award (equivalent to the Eagle Scout award) and graduated from Early-Morning Seminary. She loved little children and served as a Primary teacher, Primary Chorister, Primary Pianist and counselor in the Primary Presidency. The most important day of her life was July 31, 2009, when she entered the Lubbock Texas Temple of the Church to be married and sealed by the authority of the holy priesthood of God to her beloved Matt, for time and eternity.

Amber loved music and studied piano for many years with her teacher and dear friend, Joy Finley. She had recently accepted her first piano student and asked Mrs. Finley for help. Whether playing the piano, singing, teaching songs to the Primary children or listening (and singing along) to musicals, Amber was happiest when music filled the air around her.

Her aunt, Laura Zant, 6th Degree Black Belt Master Instructor in the American Taekwondo Association, helped Amber earn her 1st Degree Black Belt in 1995. She thoroughly enjoyed sparring competitions, especially against boys, and she placed 3rd in the ATA World Championship competition in Little Rock.

As Amber entered public school, she thirsted after knowledge, which she used to bless the lives of others. She was a lifelong student, graduating from Midland High School in 2003, and from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin with degrees in Kinesiology, 2007 (BS) and 2009 (MS). Amber earned her teaching certificate and was an inspired teacher, having done her student teaching in English at Midland High School, while helping coach the volleyball teams. She loved sharing her knowledge with her students in the classroom and on the volleyball court.

While at MHS, Amber was a captain of her volleyball team under Coach Terri McColloch, was named as the 2002 Outstanding Defensive Player of District 3-5A, was a 2002 Academic All-State Volleyball Player and earned the Midland Female Athlete of the Year Award in 2003. She continued her volleyball career at UTPB, playing three seasons with the Falcons, having served as team captain, and one season at West Texas A&M. During her Senior year, Amber won the Heartland Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award, the first year UTPB competed in NCAA Division II. Amber's pinnacle playing accolade was an open invitation to try out for the Olympic volleyball team. Immediately after high school, Amber began coaching Junior Olympic Volleyball with West Texas Juniors, where she played for many years as a youth. After coaching for several years, Amber was named as the WTJ Coaching Coordinator. But more than anything else, she loved her teammates and the many girls she coached. For most of these girls, she became a close friend and confidant and would spend hours with them on things completely unrelated to volleyball. For the past four summers, Amber ran her "Zant's Elite Volleyball Camp" in Midland. Just days before her death, Amber had accepted the volleyball head coach position at Carterville High School in Carterville, Ill.

Amber is deeply missed by all. She is survived by her husband, Matt; parents, Heidi and Jerry; brothers, Michael (wife, Megan) and David; grandmothers, Juanita Zant, Hermine Perez and Ray Ann Zant; Matt's parents, John and Barbara Bice; Matt's sisters, Jennifer Monk and Jordan Bice; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Amber's family has truly been uplifted in spirit by all of you who have prayed for, mourned with and provided service to us. We express loving gratitude for the kind and gracious manner in which all those in Carbondale treated Amber and her loved ones, particularly during her final hours. May the windows of heaven be opened and blessings be poured out upon each of you and your families.

A community visitation will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4805 Gateway Street, Midland, Texas, on Friday, May 28, beginning at 3 p.m. We invite everyone to the visitation and the funeral service held in the same chapel on Saturday, May 29, at 11 a.m., and to the dedication of Amber's grave at Resthaven Memorial Park, immediately following.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.

We request that all memorial gifts be directed to the newly established Amber Zant Bice Memorial Volleyball Scholarship at UTPB, c/o Kay Bivins, 4901 E. University Ave., Odessa, Texas 79762.