Community makes donations for Erica Parsons' proper burial

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Residents and business owners in Rowan County are coming together to offer a show of love to Erica Parsons, whose remains were found last week in South Carolina, years after she had been reported missing.

A burial plot, funeral marker and funeral services are all being donated, and donations are being collected to pay for a bench that will be placed near Erica’s grave.

“When we have needs, we can come together and actually be a community,” Tammy Brown said as she walked through downtown Salisbury on Tuesday.

A few miles away, Brent Lyerly talked about the tragedy of Erica’s death.

“I know she’s been buried for these number of years, but now she’ll have a decent Christian burial,” said Lyerly, who is donating services from the funeral home he owns.

He is also making arrangements for a casket and vault to be donated for Erica’s burial.

In China Grove, West Lawn Memorial Park is donating a gravesite and brass marker that will have a picture of Erica on it.

"It is a community effort," cemetery manager Faye Creech said.
"Everyone has stepped forward to get closure for Erica."

Creech said she’s already getting calls from others wanting to donate to the cause.

Rowan County’s Child Abuse Prevention group is handling donations for the bench planned for Erica’s grave.

Any money raised in excess of the cost of that bench will be used for programs aimed at preventing child abuse in Rowan County.

Donations can be made to Prevent Child Abuse Rowan County, 130 Woodson St, Salisbury, NC 28144

Make a notation on any check or donation that it is for “Erica’s Angel”

Cox Media Group