Kristi Carol Amarantos (née Wright) was born May 25, 1972 to James Hilliard Wright (Jimmy) and Wanda Carolyn Wright (née Sewell) in Pasadena, Texas. Kristi was 7 years younger than her only brother Jimbo. She grew up in Galena Park, spending her days dancing and doing gymnastics. Kristi spent summers at Inks Lake with friends, but she was always happiest in East Texas with her extended family on their beautiful property in Moscow. On June 27, 1982, Kristi was baptized at First Baptist Church, Romayor, along with her cousins Lisa Jeffcoat Spavale and Cherie Jeffcoat Singleton. She was a proud member and Colonel of the Jacketeers Drill Team at Galena Park High School where she met her lifelong friends and the love of her life, Spiro Amarantos. He asked for her number in 10 ^th grade Spanish class, and the rest was history.

Spiro and Kristi married on April 13, 1996, and celebrated their 25 ^th wedding Anniversary in 2021 with a wonderful trip to Savannah. The biggest blessings of their marriage were their two boys.  Spiro and Kristi welcomed Carter Nikolas Amarantos in August of 2001 and Cooper Christian Amarantos in August of 2004. Kristi and Spiro loved the beautiful life and home that they built in Kingwood for their boys. Kristi's role as a Momma was her number one priority. She spent all her free time on the sidelines of her boys' activities whether it was baseball, football, or track. There wasn't anything that she would miss. She spent countless Friday nights under the lights supporting either her husband and his coaching career or watching her boys play ball. She forged some fierce friendships on those sidelines.

Kristi was well known for her sound advice, high expectations, and general love. Her devotion to her children spilled over to their friends, and it wasn't uncommon for others to call her "Momma Bear".  She loved her family and friends so quality time with them was what was most important. In fact, mixing family with lifelong friends was Kristi's favorite recipe.  Spiro and Kristi took numerous summer vacations with their high school friends and families to Lake LBJ and then later Garner State Park where memories were made that will last a lifetime. And though Kristi was raised in the city, she was happiest surrounded by her people, listening to live music, dancing to country music, and riding horses in the country. Kristi had a passion for health and loved spending time taking long walks with Spiro through Kingwood or taking spin classes with her girlfriends.

Education was always an important element in their life. Kristi graduated from the University of Houston in 2000 and received her Master's Degree in 2005 from the University of Houston Clear Lake. She advanced her career starting as a teacher at Cloverleaf Elementary in Galena Park ISD and then serving 7 years as principal of Royalwood Elementary in Sheldon ISD. From there she made the transition to Director of Personnel Services and then later named Executive Director of Human Resources in Sheldon ISD. She finished her career as Executive Director of Human Resources for New Caney ISD, a job and title she was very proud of obtaining. Kristi had a work ethic like no other. That, coupled with a heart of gold and intellect, made her great at her job. But the thing she valued most about her career were the relationships that developed along the way.

Kristi's smile lit up a room. She had an infectious spirit and the gift of making people feel as if they were the most important person in the world. Because of this, the grief of losing her too soon is so hard. June 2, 2021, she was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer. It pushed her to her limits, but it did not define her. She showed us all the will to live, the will to love, and the will to face adversity with strength, courage, and dignity. Her legacy is her spirit, her never yielding faith in Him, her dedication to her boys, and her love for Spiro, who was steadfast in his care and devotion to her. Kristi will be remembered for her abounding generosity to her family and to her friends. She taught us all to #neverthrowinthetowel. Kristi went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, January 31, 2022, surrounded by those she loved the most.

Kristi was preceded in death by her grandparents Ralph and Allie Mae Wright of Moscow, Texas, and Gorden and Lurlene Sewell of Galena Park, Texas, as well as, her father-in-law Kosta Amarantos of Humble, Texas. She is survived by her husband and sons as well as her parents and mother-in-law, Patricia Amarantos, her brother and his wife Gina Wright, her niece Timber Wright and her great niece Sawyer, her nephew Brayden Wright, nieces Abbey and Allie Wright, her sister-in-law Sonja Callarman and niece Taylor Callarman Hunt and her husband Chase, her brother & sister-in-law Vince and Marcia Callarman, nephew Jordan Caves-Callarman and his wife Meghan, niece Caitlyn Callarman, her brother & sister-in-law Christo and Lindley Amarantos, nephew K.C. Amarantos and niece Allyne Amarantos, as well as her best friend Michelle Campbell, numerous Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends.

Pallbearers for Kristi's funeral are her brother Jimbo Wright, her dear cousin Keith Wright, best friends David Campbell, Ronnie Whigham, and Albert Syzdek, and brothers-in-law Vince Callarman and Christo Amarantos.

Kristi's life will be celebrated Saturday, February 5, 2022 at United City Church in Humble. Visitation with the family will begin at 11:00 am with a funeral immediately following at 12:30 pm. Kristi will be buried at the Wright Family Cemetery in Moscow, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you consider making a donation to the New Caney ISD Education Foundation in memory of Kristi.