Lorri Erskine, of Gerton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. She was surrounded by her two daughters as her soul was lovingly surrendered into the arms of her Heavenly Father.

Lorri was a devoted daughter, a loyal sister, a loving mother, Grammy, and aunt and a friend to many. She was born in Tampa, Florida, in 1962, where she lived until 1976 when she moved to Gerton, North Carolina. She graduated from Edneyville High School, where she was a cheerleader for the wrestling team, a member of the Sierra Club, and was affectionately nicknamed “Sunny” for her bright disposition.

Lorri was a self-proclaimed “BMW” (Big Mountain Woman) who loved to collect and cultivate bits of nature around her. She graduated with honors from UNC–Asheville with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Throughout her life, she partnered with and supported many organizations, including the Soil and Water Conservation Service, the UHNG Beautification Committee, the 4-H Club, and numerous other projects to better her community.

Lorri will be remembered by many for her big personality, her genuine heart and willingness to help anyone in need, and her free spirit—a speaker of truth, breaker of arbitrary rules, and life of the party. She was often described as a “light” to others in their darkest times and had a gift for being both resourceful and justice-seeking.

Lorri was preceded in death by her beloved father, David Edward Erskine Sr. She is survived by her dear daughters, Chelsea Joan Erskine West and husband, Lucas, and Cassidy Erskine Schimmel and husband, Dillon; seven “grand-darlings”: AnnaSophia, Ezra, Deacon, Phoebe, Selah, Tristan, and Diezel; her mother, Billie “Joan” Erskine; her brother, David Edward Erskine Jr. (“Dee”) and his wife, Jennifer; and her niece, Cydney Huntley.

Her light continues to shine in the mountains she loved, in the lives she touched, and in the hearts of those who carry her memory forward.

Family and friends are invited to a graveside Celebration of Life in honor of Lorri at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, at Bearwallow Cemetery in Gerton, North Carolina, as we gather to remember and give thanks for her beautiful life.

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