Erin Brett Lindsay-Calkins, 26, of Efland, N.C. died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, following a car-train collision. Her son, Nicholas Aedon Lindsay, 5, also was killed. Her 4-month-old daughter, Aven Brooke Lindsay-Calkins, survived the accident.
Born Nov. 16, 1983 in Raleigh, N.C., Erin attended Fuquay-Varina Elementary and West Lake Elementary and Middle School and was homeschooled in high school. She earned an associate’s degree from Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro and a bachelor of arts in women’s studies from UNC-Chapel Hill. Erin recently took maternity leave from work as a research assistant at the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University Medical Center.
People meeting Erin were always struck by her physical beauty. Those who knew Erin saw her inner beauty as far more striking. Erin practiced compassion in her daily life, always ready to listen to anyone troubled or to save an injured animal in need. She volunteered as a crisis hotline responder with the Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center and with her family’s animal-rescue program. Growing up, Erin was active in the 4H horse program. She was a talented writer and artist. She loved the simple things of nature. Erin was totally devoted to her son, Nicholas, and newborn daughter, Aven. She found joy in her life with her husband, Mike, her true soul mate. Her sister, Brittany, remembers Erin as the “best sissiepoo†ever.
Survivors include her husband, Michael Curtis Lindsay-Calkins, of Efland and formerly of Manteca, Cal.; daughter, Aven Brooke Lindsay-Calkins, of the home; parents, Steve and Nadean Ferguson Lindsay, of Chapel Hill; sister, Brittany Megan Lindsay, of Chapel Hill, grandparents James and Gerry Lindsay, of Vass, N.C.; parents-in-law, Curtis and Diane Calkins, of Mocksville.; sisters-in-law, Sarah Calkins and Christina Redfearn and husband, Nick, of Mocksville; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceding her in death were grandparents Thomas and Mildred Ferguson of Florence, S.C.