Amanda Catherine Alexander Johnson

Amanda was born at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia on April 19th, 1984 to Carolyn Palmer and Steven Alexander.

Amanda grew up in the Shenandoah Valley and attended Stuarts Draft High School before earning her BA in Psychology from Bridgwater College in 2006. Following college graduation, Amanda worked in mental health for nearly a decade, working at the Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents and Community Services Boards in Waynesboro and Charlottesville.

Amanda was an avid singer and had an absolutely beautiful voice. She performed in a number of organizations throughout her life, including her school’s concert choir, at her church, Finley Memorial Presbyterian, as part of the Waynesboro Choral Society, the Richmond Choral Society, and most recently as a member of the Greater Richmond Chorus (GRC), the local chapter of Sweet Adelines International. Amanda had a fondness for barbershop music and was overjoyed to find GRC. She truly cherished her time as a member of the Sweet Adelines, singing both bass and lead vocals and forming lasting friendships with her acapella sisters.

Amanda and her wife Jessica first bonded over their mutual love and appreciation for music and family. Amanda and Jessica married on November 14, 2015 in Waynesboro, VA at Hermitage Hill Farm & Stables. Together they raised two children, Dominick (8) and Avery (1). Amanda was a stay-at-home mother, her most treasured role in life. She enjoyed cooking and prepared meals for her family nearly every single day. She instilled in her children the importance of embracing different cultures and languages. She held music sessions at her home for kids and their parents. She took every opportunity to teach the values of being kind, being authentic, and embracing others for who they are. Amanda was known by her “mom village” as an incredible, beautiful soul who others aspired to be like.

The Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains were Amanda’s places of comfort and solace. She remained extremely close with her family. She and Avery would have video calls with Amanda’s mother, Carolyn, almost every day. Whenever she and her brothers got together there was sure to be plenty of fun shenanigans. Amanda loved family, the Great British Baking Show, Washington football, cooking, styling her hair, giving other mothers parenting advice, playing games, dancing, spending time with friends, anything and everything about the UK, and so much more. Above all else, she loved her children.

Amanda had a warm smile, a big heart, and an unforgettable laugh. She was known for her pronounced facial expressions; you rarely had to guess what she was thinking. Her occasional stern forehead shift could make the wind change.

Amanda was full of life and brightened every room she entered. Her presence will continue to be felt and memories cherished by all who had the good fortune of knowing her. She will be greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Harold and Elsie Harper and Nelson Alexander, and aunt, Emily Alexander.

She is survived by her loving wife, Jessica Johnson, and their two children, Dominick and Avery; mother, Carolyn Palmer; father, Steven Alexander (Judy); brothers, Matthew Alexander (BeeJay) and Daniel Alexander; brother-in-law William Johnson (Jeffrey); grandmother Lois Alexander; and a number of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 15, from 1-2pm. A memorial service will begin at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Trevor Project or the Human Rights Campaign