05/28/2026
Amber was promoted to her eternal home in heaven on May 23, 2026. Her family and friends will miss her terribly, but we will rejoice that she is now singing, running, and playing without pain or physical limitations in the presence of the King.
Amber’s early years growing up included a big extended family and friends. It was a rich country style upbringing with church, playing in the dirt, swimming, and fishing. She loved attending Bible school at Ariton Baptist Church with her favorite teacher, Mrs. Janis Gibson.
She attended Kindergarten through 12th grade at Ariton School, graduating in 1999. She enjoyed playing basketball with Mr. Blanchard, Connect Four with Coach Laney, and participating in Driver’s Ed. A story she loved to tell was when Coach Scyphers let her drive, and they were stopped by the police for swerving too much. Mr. Joe Smith was a great school friend whom she enjoyed hearing tell stories of old times, Octagon soap, and cooking chitlins. Amber also completed the Rhema Bible College Correspondence course and completed coursework at both ESCC and Troy University.
Amber’s driving skills improved when she got a golf cart. She drove all over Grandaddy Sutton’s property watching deer and other animals. She was passionate about reading her bible and writing songs and poetry.
She enjoyed many years of volunteering with Cornerstone Church’s Children’s Ministries and the many friends she made there. Her favorite things in recent years include: playing with her nephew and niece, Titus and Colby, being a leader in American Heritage Girls for the past 10 years, making shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, and The Lone Ranger fan club. Amber made some good friends in the fan club, Randy and Ruth Johnson and John Phipps of Indiana with whom she talked to often. She also sponsored a child through World Vision.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Amber Deanna Elizabeth Hartzog at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Skeen Funeral Home with Pastor Adam Coppock and Pastor Bobby Marks officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until time of service.
She is survived by her parents, Tommy and Beverly Hartzog; brothers and sisters in law, Dave and Julie Hartzog and David; Zane and Kasey Hartzog, Titus and Colby; grandmother, Marie Sutton; aunts and uncle, Patty Blankenship, Ricky and Shari Pugh. Many cousins: Porath - Joseph, David, Deanna, James and Julie, Lori, Kevin, Leanna, Marc and Kris, Cynthia and Martin Koll, Wanda and Steve Edwards, Ericka and Matt Baron, Gracelyn, Maggie, and Layne; Matt and Mindy Blankenship, Mattox, Micah, and Maxston; Eric and Marion Blankenship, Cole and Kylie Blankenship, and Paige and MJ Shehane.
In addition to the family, friends who were greatly supportive: Nancy Smith, Rebecca Strickland, Kelley Fralish, Donna Adams, Angel Hubbard, and Jonathon Barber. Home health personnel who became friends Brennan, Taylor, Courtney and Kathy. The 7th Floor nurses, Patient Care Techs and doctors at UAB Women and Infant’s Center will never be forgotten for not only their excellent care but the love they showed us while we were there for several weeks.
