Amber Dawn Cripe

Amber Dawn Cripe, age 47, of Belton, Texas, passed peacefully into Heaven’s embrace on Monday, April 7, 2025. A Celebration of Life to honor Amber’s memory will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at La Rio Mansion, 4501 Dice Grove Rd, Belton.

Born on June 20, 1977, in Temple, Texas, Amber brought light and love into the world from the very beginning. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and dedicated her professional life to helping others as a financial aid analyst at Temple College. Amber found deep purpose in her work, where her compassionate spirit and unwavering support made a lasting impact on the lives of students and colleagues alike. She often spoke with pride about the friendships she had built there and the joy she found in making a difference every day.

Amber was a woman whose caring heart and radiant smile touched everyone she met. She was generous, nurturing, and kind—always ready with a listening ear or a helping hand. But above all, Amber's greatest pride and most profound joy came from being a mother. Her love for her four children - Kamryn, Luke, Jacob, and Allen - was the heartbeat of her life. She cherished every moment with them and took immense pride in watching them grow into the remarkable individuals they are today.

Amber was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Cecilia Rinando, and her stepfather, Danny Rinando.

She is survived by her daughter, Kamryn Cripe; sons, Luke Cripe, Jacob Cripe, and Allen Stanley; her father, Michael Stirnkorb, and stepmother, Debbie; her sisters, Kelly Yepma and husband, Jason, and Heather Helms; her brothers, Tyrone “TJ” Van Riper and wife, Jennifer, and Danny Rinando, Jr.; honorary sister, Summer Fitzhugh; and a wide circle of loving extended family—uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews—each of whom held a special place in her heart.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to April Mayfield-Little and Debi Morales for the extraordinary care, compassion, and advocacy they provided Amber. Their kindness brought peace and comfort during life’s most difficult moments.

Memorial donations may be made to the family’s GoFundMe page “Amber Dawn’s Comfort, Care and Memorial” at https://gofund.me/3f449cb5 or to the Temple College Foundation for the Amber Dawn #TeAmber Memorial Foundation.

Amber’s warmth, strength, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed, always remembered, and forever cherished.