Betty Dietrich was convinced her granddaughter wouldn’t make it through high school.
It wasn’t that Amanda Wiles fell short as a student; actually, she was very bright. But she was definitely not a morning person. Even after Amanda grew into adulthood, Betty would call to be sure her granddaughter got up in time for work.
“I am so proud of the woman she became,” Betty said. “She was so beautiful inside and out, and I loved her very much. She was very, very special. We were close.”
Amanda, 31, was shot and killed by Roy Parmley, 53, the estranged boyfriend of Amanda’s mother, Terri. The June 9, 2012, attack took place at the Lapel-area home the women were sharing after Terri broke off her relationship with Parmley a few days earlier.
Friend and former co-worker Diane Wilson described Amanda as an “old soul in a young body.”
“She was the most forgiving person I’ve ever met,” Diane said. “She could see faults but never focused on them, always saying, ‘We all have that, but we are going to focus on the positive side.’ She was always such a joy to be around.”
Amanda’s best friend since grade school, Elisha Hernandez, said the void in her life left by Amanda will always be there. The two communicated, even if only by text, every day.
“Every step we took in life was together, side by side. We completed each other’s sentences,” Elisha said. “We never fought as friends, and the time we spent together was cherished. People have come and gone in our lives, but we remained soul sisters. My life is so empty without her. But I’m happy I had 23 years with such an amazing woman.”
Friends say Amanda had a passion for trying new things. She dabbled in a variety of careers, always trying to learn more.
She was a chatterbox, friendly and a strong force, someone who championed “girl power,” Diane said.
“No matter how many times she was knocked down, she always found a way. She always knew there was more out there, and she strived for it.”
Faces of Domestic Violence
Related Photos
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Amanda Wiles
Discussion
Amanda Wiles: ‘Beautiful inside and out’
Daughter killed by mother’s estranged boyfriend
- Faces of Domestic Violence
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Who can stop domestic violence? You
The elimination of abuse in relationships — with time, cooperation and commitment — is possible, said Colleen Yeakle, coordinator of the Indiana Coalition of Domestic Violence’s (ICADV) prevention initiative.
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Legislation comes a long way, but more change needed
Each year the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence sets its legislative priorities based on year-round discussions with its members and legislators to see what needs are out there and what is going on in the field.
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Children affected by abuse too
While some may think the atmosphere at Alternatives, the Anderson domestic violence shelter, would be a somber one, instead it is a building filled with laughter and joy.
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Kristy Gissendanner: 'Vivacious and sweet'
Six-day-old Gabrielle Gissendanner and her 18-month-old brother Michael weren’t far from their mom when Harry Gissendanner shot and killed Kristy in their Anderson home in 2004.
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John Davis: ‘Defined by your actions and inactions’
John Davis wants his pain to make a difference. He’s hopeful sharing what he experienced and witnessed growing up will empower someone else to leave a dangerous situation or avoid it altogether.
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‘It was life-altering’
Casey Huffman should have taken her son Camdon to his first day of kindergarten this year. She should be picking out a Halloween costume for him. She should be thinking about how to help him achieve his hopes and dreams. Instead, Casey mourns over his all-too-early death.
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Tina Tomlinson: 'She was a hoot'
Tina Tomlinson was just “plain fun,” her family recalled. The mother of two and dedicated grandmother was someone family could look to for a good time.
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Domestic violence prevention is possible, expert says
Gender stereotypes are just one thing that Todd Cawthorn and five other speakers, during a 90-minute panel discussion Tuesday night, talked about that create an environment where domestic violence is accepted.
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Teens can be victims of domestic violence, too
Dating violence has been seen locally in relationships as young as sixth grade, Alternatives Inc. prevention specialist Todd Cawthorn said.
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Justice for victims
While a protective order is an important piece of the legal puzzle that domestic violence victims have to solve, Judge Stephen Clase stresses to each that it is, after all, “just a piece of paper.” “They won’t stop a knife or a bullet,” he said. “I tell them they need to be on guard at all times.”
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