Erin McKamey Pickel
January 29, 2001 ~ February 22, 2019
Resided in:
Arden, North Carolina
It has been said that love is not measured by WHO you love; love is measured by HOW you love.
When measured this way, our precious Erin McKamey Pickel taught us how to love unconditionally, without judgment and with complete acceptance. Her all-too-short 18 years were filled with a deep love for anyone who shared her world.
It was quickly apparent that Erin was brought to this world to teach, not to learn. She taught patience, persistence, kindness, perspective, forgiveness, honesty…all rooted in Joy! Erin had a joy for life! She had joy for her family, her friends, her nurses, her doctors, her school and even strangers. She made friends wherever she went.
Erin was a senior at the Progressive Education Program at T.C. Roberson High School, where she served as a Homecoming attendant in October 2018, a Special Olympics athlete and a community volunteer. Erin had a love of movies (especially Jason Bourne!), theatre productions at Flat Rock Playhouse, books, fresh flowers, shopping, shoes, finger nail polish and music. Her catalog of music was diverse: everything from Michael Jackson, the Bangles, Glen Campbell and her most recent obsession, the soundtrack from The Greatest Showman.
Erin loved being at home with her family, especially listening to music, sitting on the porch, watching TV, reading, and mostly hanging out with her amazing big brother. Her love and spirit will always fill her home, and her family will always be “4”.
Erin is preceded in death by her grandfather, Tommy E. Pickel; her aunt Pam Pope Simmons, whose love, encouragement and pride for Erin remained constant until her death in November 2018.
Erin is survived and will be forever loved by her parents, Mark and Christie (Pope) Pickel and her brother, Andrew Pickel of Arden, NC. Maternal grandparents, Nancy and Engles Pope of Antioch, TN; paternal grandmother, Sarah Pickel of Smyrna, TN; aunts and uncles, Brenda and Randy Jones of Nashville, TN, Neil Simmons of Antioch, TN, Beth and Bill Gaines of Dunn, NC; cousins, Jessica, Ben and Silas Nelson, Kara Jones, Cathy and Tim Hodges, Shawn, Breanna and Caitlyn Simmons, Sarah Grace Reich, Hannah Faith and Luke Gaines.
Visitation with the family will be Friday, March 1, 2019, 5pm-8pm at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, 72 Long Shoals Road, Arden, NC. A Celebration of Erin’s Life will be held at 10:00am Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC with Rev. Ashley Crowder-Stanley and Rev. Luke Lingle officiating. Burial will follow the Celebration of Life at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard, 2840 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher, NC.
Pallbearers are Wes Boyd, Savannah Caudle, Elizabeth May-West, Marshall McDill, Ben Nelson, Joseph Scarborough and Davis Teitelbaum.
For those who would like to make a memorial contribution, donations can be made to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC 28806, noting on check “Biltmore Fund-Erin Pickel.” The Biltmore Fund provides assistance to Biltmore employee families in need. A memorial contribution recognizes all the support given to the Pickel family throughout Erin’s life by The Biltmore Company.
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What a beautiful picture of a beautiful soul. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. How blessed I know you feel to have had her for 18 years and how heartbroken I know you are to have had her for only 18 years. May God give you strength in these next days and peace that only he can give. Prayers and love my dear friend, Christie, as well as to your family.
My deepest condolences to the Family on the lost of your dear loved one may you find comfort in knowing that God is close to the broken hearted, he saves those who are crushed in spirit and he comforts those in times of sorrow (Psalm 34:18)
Goodbye sweet Erin. Your beautiful smile would light up any room. You are blessing heaven and the angels with that smile now. Christy and family. Love and prayers to you from Maura and the whole Angel Family.
Beautiful Erin……my deepest sympathy for such a great loss.
Thinking of all the family at this time.
As a parent of a child in Erin’s class, our hearts are broken for you and with you. We will continually lift you in prayer and we are sending all our love to you.
That may be the most beautiful eulogy I’ve ever read. I have always believed just as you that angels are provided to us for our teaching, not for anything that we could ever do for them…I’m sure Erin taught many and she will be missed.
My heart is shattered! That smile…that beautiful sweet smile I will never ever forget. I am so blessed to have known Erin and shared in her sweet gifts of love! Our deepest sympathy to your beautiful family.
I didnt know Ms. Erin Pickel personally, but I want to say to the family, Erin brought a special kind of love into the heart of my friend ‘Brittany ‘. I have so enjoyed the conversation that we shared everytime she came home after caring for Erin. Erin was more than a person needing an extra hand. Seeing through the eyes of my friend ‘Brittany ‘ it was more like Erin was the caretaker having the ability to steal the heart of anyone in her path. I never got a chance to meet you ‘ Erin’ but your smile alone has brought such joy in my heart. Stay awake in Christ, keep smiling on your Journey!
My condolences during this difficult time for Erin’s family.
We’re sending you guys all of our love.
Not only are you lucky to have had Erin, what an amazing family she got to be a part of as well.
I had the honor and pleasure of watching your daughter on Facebook, through our mutual friend, Kelly McDill. Her soul is indeed special. Her life has been an inspiration to me. Praying for all of her family and friends during this difficult time. God bless.
Strength, comfort, and peace of mind, to all of Erin’s family, in the days and years to come.
I am so sorry for the loss of your precious angel. I am thinking of your family and praying for you all
Erin was and always will be the picture of complete perfection. Anyone in her path was instantly blessed. Her presence was heartwarming. Her smile was captivating and ridiculously contagious. Sweet memories will remain in the hearts of many until we see her again, completely whole.
Erin was loved here on earth so richly by her parents, brother and extended family. You all gave her such an amazing life. One to be insanely proud of.
Joy! That is the word that comes to mind. Erin will forever be JOY in my heart. She will be missed by everyone. Her family is in our prayers!! So much more to say but words just are not there. We love you all.
Thank you for sharing your precious daughter with everyone. We were indeed taught by her and are forever changed. Her family gave her a full life and advocated for her education, her health care, and her joy! We think of her now running to her Christ, singing the song from the animated film version of Tarzan that her Mother sang to her. Our hope in Christ for life eternal is her new life and joy. Love abounds! Thank you Christie, Mark and your whole family!
Erin’s teachings of love and acceptance began at home, with her wonderful family. Erin was who she was because of you all. Erin lived a wonderful life and you all have every right to pat yourselves on the back for a job well done. She will be missed so deeply here on Earth, but her lessons and smile will live within her loved ones forever. Thank you so much for the gift that was your daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend. She truly touched anyone she came into contact with. I will miss her so much.
I had the priviledge of knowing Erin while she attended Estes. Her million dollar smile and joy she put in my heart has will not ever leave .I still remember her in her Tar Heels cheerleading attire! She was a true Heel fan. I have a bottle of sand in a coke bottle she brought back from a beach trip.( I had asked her to bring me the beach back) It’s a reminder of Erin , Andrew and her Parents and how the Love and Faith they had are what Erin’s smile showed everyday. Love to her family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of you loss.
Bobby and Regina Medlen
To the Pickel Family-
My deepest sympathy to all of you in the passing of Erin. I didn’t know her personally, but I do remember how much Nancy talked about her precious grand-daughter. May God give you peace and understanding as you grieve your loss.
When I think of Erin I think of her sweet smile. I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for your family <3
Our prayers are with your family. Erin was obviously a wonderful person full of life, love and a giving heart. She will be missed by so many. Your family is being prayed for by so many friends, Please stop and feel the strength of those prayers and know that you are loved.
I had the awesome privilege of being Erin’s speech therapist back when she was about 9 years old. She always had the sweetest smile and sense of humor! (I’m picturing her shoulder shake as she laughed right now.) I remember all things Pinkalicious and the parody song ‘ I’m Elmo and I know it’? would always put her in a happy mood back then. It’s been many years, but Erin has always been in my heart and mind. My thought and prayers are with Christie, Mark and Andrew. Heaven gained the best of the best! Much love, Catherine
My thoughts and prayers are with the Pickel family and everyone that loved Erin. Her beauty and her love will be missed here on Earth but I know that Heaven is sparkling more brightly than ever.
Sorry for your loss. God Bless and be with your family.
You have my deepest sympathies. May God bless you and bring you and your family His comfort, peace, and joy. Prayers for you and your family.
We are so very sorry to hear or Erin’s passing. Please know that you have our deepest condolences. We always looked forward to having Erin come in…..such a sweet soul. Prayers for peace and comfort during this most difficult time. Love, The Staff of The Apple Valley Clinic of Chiroprctic (Dr. D, Jessica, Michelle, Aliesha, Angie and Dr. Levi)