PHONE: (972) 562-2601 Erin Donnel Valenta December 1, 1997 - January 26, 2018 Erin Donnel Valenta of Allen, Texas passed away January 26, 2018, at the age of 20. She was born December 1, 1997, to Matthew Fred Valenta and Meredith Marie (Knight) Valenta in Dallas, Texas. Erin attended Story Elementary and Ford Middle School in Allen. She was a 2016 graduate of Allen High School where she was a member of the Allen Eagle Escadrille and the American Sign Language Club. Erin was also a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts. Erin was a Music Education major at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She played clarinet in the Lumberjack Marching Band and was a member of Tau Beta Sigma music service sorority. She was a member of Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen where she was very active in the youth group and AWANAs. Erin is survived by her parents, Matthew and Meredith Valenta of Allen, Texas; sisters, Shannon Valenta, Reagan Valenta, and Kelly Valenta; grandmothers, Martha Knight of Georgetown, Texas and Barrett Valenta of Dallas, Texas; aunt, Emily Faith Valenta; uncle, Stephen Knight; cousins, Jett, Jake, and Beck Knight; and a host of other loving family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Leon Knight and Fred Valenta and an aunt, Theresa Valenta. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. Interment is to follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Friday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A reception will follow the funeral and graveside services at Cottonwood Creek Church, 1015 State Highway 121, Allen, Texas 75013. Memorial contributions may be made to the following: Allen Eagle Escadrille and/or Stephen F. Austin University School of Music
Mail: Gifts can be sent to: SFA Office of Development PO Box 6092, SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962-6092 Checks can be made payable to SFASU with a note that the gift is in memory of Erin Valenta. Online: Go to www.sfasu.edu/give Select Other and type in LMB in memory of Erin Valenta Then follow the steps to complete the donation. Memorials The service today captured Erin as she would want to be remembered (except for so many memories on the crutches). She is a wonderful person that I have had the honor to take care of. I was touched by listening to others talk about her as they saw her just like I did. She was always a patient I was excited to see come in and so proud of all of her accomplishments. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Henry Ellis HENRY ELLIS, FEBRUARY 3, 2018 I've been pretending this somehow wasn't really true, but in a few hours it will no longer be possible... I remember Erin from Story Elementary as a bright little girl with a sweet smile and gentle nature. My heart goes out to each of Erin's friends. My heart breaks for Erin's family. I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. I am praying for strength and love to surround you all and help you through this. Sending lots of love, hugs and prayers. ROSANNA LEAHY, FEBRUARY 3, 2018 Erin was so special to Jeana and Me. She made a impact where ever she went and whoever she was with. Her smile was contagious and her positive attitude was and encouragement to many. She will be missed greatly by the Cottonwood Family, Jeana and Me. John Mark & Jeana Caton
JOHN MARK & JEANA CATON, FEBRUARY 3, 2018 So sorry to hear. I remember meeting Erin while volunteering at an Escadrille event. I didn't really know her but she seemed to be a wonderful young woman. Deepest sympathies and prayers for your family during this difficult time and the road ahead. RACHAEL KOSKOWICH, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 As a friend and colleague of Erin's father, I know that Erin was loved and cherished all of her days. I'm deeply saddened for the Valenta family given this sudden and tragic loss of their beloved daughter. I wish only the best to the family and friends of Erin. SCOTT CLAYTON, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 We were incredibly blessed to have your family in our lives as soon as we moved to Texas. I am filled with fun memories of preschool and Daisy adventures with our kids. You are a great family and it shows in your children. I am sorry I am not in town to attend the service honoring Erin's life. She obviously had a tremendous impact with her loving kindness. I am honored to have known Erin. BETHANY BENNETT, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 Dear Valenta Family, We are so sorry to hear about Erin. Please know that we love y'all and are praying for God's comfort and peace. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance[c] upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 DAN & LORI LILES, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 Shannon and Family: I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your loved one. May you find comfort and peace knowing that she is at the feet of Jesus. Praying for you in the days, weeks ahead as you go through this difficult time MARSHA CANUP--ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL, JANUARY 31, 2018 May the Lord have His healing hand over the Vallenta Family and friends. We are sorry for your loss. We are friends of the Badgetts and we know this is a loss for them as well.
JIM AND FREDERICA FOSTER, JANUARY 31, 2018 I am so sorry for your loss. I met Erin when I was coming home from a church retreat. We sat on the bus ride home and I still remember her beautiful smile and joyful spirit. We talked the entire 2 hours back to Nacogdoches, sang, and laughed together as we talked about our lives back at SFA. Even though I only talked to Erin for those 2 short hours, she was one of the sweetest girls I have ever met and I am so blessed to have gotten to know her. MELISSA, JANUARY 31, 2018 Dear Matt and family, I am incredibly sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and give you strength and peace. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. MARIA HASAN, JANUARY 29, 2018 Meredith and Matt, we are so very sorry for your loss. Your family has been in our prayers and you will remain in our prayers. With our love, Debbie Cosgrove DEBBIE COSGROVE, JANUARY 29, 2018 Erin is one of my best friends. I'm one of her coworkers at the place she works at which is Jumpstreet. It pains me and saddens me to find out that she has passed on to the afterlife. She was one of the sweetest person I've ever met. She always gave me a helping hand and I always return the favor. I can understand that she is going through tough times. But now her tough times are over because she is having fun up in the heavens with God. May her light continue to shine on all of you who supports her from beginning to end. Rest in peace to our beloved guardian angel. Here's a part of a lyric of a song for this occasion. "shiny and sparkly, and splendidly bright. Here one day, gone one night." Gone Too Soon JORDAN LEDETT, JANUARY 29, 2018 Dearest Erin, Heaven has gained a precious one with you! You were the sweetest soul! You will be missed by all those whose lives you touched. Meredith & Family, we are grieving with you during this time. We are sad to miss the funeral and service We will be praying for you during this time! Love in Christ, John & Jennifer
JOHN & JENNIFER DARLING, JANUARY 29, 2018 Erin was a sweet, beautiful girl who loved the Lord. I know she touched many lives and many saw the love of Jesus through her. We will be praying for your family. BLAKE, DEBI, EMILY, MOLLY AND MIKI JENKINS, JANUARY 29, 2018 I am so sad to hear of Erin's passing. I worked in her office at Allen High School and remember her being such a sweet and pleasant girl each time she came to the office. I am praying for your family that God will give you strength during this terribly difficult time of loss. KAREN HELTON - ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL, JANUARY 29, 2018 Valenta Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time, Erin was loved and cherished by a lot of people - you raised an amazing and talented girl, you should be very proud of the woman she became. I loved teaching her during my time in Awana and blessed that I got to know her - She will be missed my many, but her memory will last a life time. LISA KIMBERLIN, JANUARY 29, 2018 Matt: Our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Ray Occhipinti RAY OCCHIPINTI, JANUARY 29, 2018 We are part of the Badgett extended family and have known Connor Badgett since his birth. He was so happy to find Erin as his girlfriend and will miss her so much. We are praying for the entire family. Such a loss of this wonderful young lady. She is in the arms of God. DICK AND LYNN BRINK (ARLINGTON, TEXAS), JANUARY 29, 2018 I am so sorry to hear about Erin. She was such a delight to know so long ago. I know she was doing great things at SFA. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. JILL ROECKER, JANUARY 29, 2018 Our daugthers were friends at SFA and hearing of your daugthers passing was hard to comprehend. Too young to be missed so soon. Prayers for all those she left behind.
DEBRA AND JAMES MORENO, JANUARY 29, 2018 To Erin's family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. CARRIE DAVIDSON, JANUARY 29, 2018 Dear Matt and the Family: I am so deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. My heart is shattered just thinking about it. My prayers are with your family during this most difficult time. May God bring peace and comfort to the Valenta family. Jeremy JEREMY CHOI, JANUARY 29, 2018 I am so sorry to learn about Erin's passing. My heart breaks for you all. I pray that God's love and grace, and the memories of Erin will get you through this difficult time. Sending prayers your way. Much love. - Alan ALAN PERRY, JANUARY 29, 2018 Dear Matt, I can t even express how sorry I am for your loss. I will keep you and your entire family in my loving thoughts and prayers. Nina. NINA E CROCKER, JANUARY 29, 2018 So sorry to hear of Erin's passing. Please stay strong and take care of yourselves at this time of extreme difficulty. Zhen ZHEN LI, JANUARY 29, 2018 I am praying for the family and thankful for the time Erin was here at First Baptist Nacogdoches playing the clarinet in our orchestra. May God comfort you and give you peace. Barbara, Music Secretary BARBARA BREAZEAE, JANUARY 29, 2018 I work at SFASU and was so very sad to read about the passing of one of our students. Prayers to the family during this time and afterwards. KIM J, JANUARY 29, 2018 Erin was in the AWANA program at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church and that is where I first met her! I had the honor of being her AWANA leader in Journey. She was very shy but had such a loving, gentle, godly spirit! Her smile was contagious and she was always wearing it! Her innocence was refreshing and her attitude was encouraging. Heaven has received another precious soul. JACKIE HOLCOMBE, JANUARY 28, 2018
Meredith and family, I am so saddened by your loss. I have no words for the loss of your precious Erin. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Sherry SHERRY GRIMES, JANUARY 28, 2018 I am extremely sorry for the loss of this sweet girl. My family and I are sending prayers. May God comfort you and yours as the days pass. -SFA TOJ KATELYN BYNUM, JANUARY 28, 2018 Erin played in the First Baptist Church orchestra with me. She always seemed to have a smile on her face, even when dealing with her crutches. We will miss her musicianship and her sweet spirit. As a father, my heart is breaking for you in this time. I lost a son to cancer 3 years ago and know that there will always be a hole in your heart that Erin filled perfectly. I pray that God will comfort you now and in the future. As parents, you should be proud of Erin and you raised a wonderful daughter. May God cover you with His grace! DENNIS FLEETWOOD, JANUARY 28, 2018 I am so very sorry for your loss. We are praying for you all. Kevin was in Erin's preschool class. We were talking today about the day they were playing house and Erin told him he was the puppy and he bit her leg- for real- as I'm sure you remember me calling you to apologize. Praying for peace and comfort for you all. LAURIE SHACKELFORD, JANUARY 28, 2018 Meredith and Matt and girls. Our hearts are broken for you in this unimaginable loss. Please know we hold you in our prayers and our hearts during these difficult days. May the Lord Grant you peace and understanding. CLAUDIA PARKER, JANUARY 28, 2018 Erin touched all our hearts with her smile, sweet, kind and nurturing heart. The memories she shared with my daughter and family will live with us forever. Keep playing your music Erin, we love you! #EagleSoarsHerWings BETH ESHELMAN, JANUARY 28, 2018 Praying for the entire Valenta family. The Bible says "We do not grieve as those who have no hope..". Thankful for the assurance that Erin, right now, is
with Jesus! I imagine her smile is the biggest ever! God bless and comfort each of you. PAM CONWAY, JANUARY 28, 2018 Your sweet girl will be missed by all of us who were touched with her smile and her beautiful heart. LESLIE MCWHIRTER, JANUARY 28, 2018 Family Owned Since 1945 Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow is the premier provider of funeral services in North Texas, with seven convenient locations and three beautiful memorial parks. We are a locally owned family business that has served North Texas for over 70 years. Families who visit us receive the highest quality of professionalism and service, with compassion and care that are unsurpassed. Copyright 2015 (972) 562-2601