Erika Renee Hainor English

Erika was born December 7th, 1974 to Renee and Lewis Hainor. From the time she was born, she was loved. Her mother and father adored, protected, and encouraged her at every turn. Her “little” brother always backed her up and would drop anything to help her, and her baby sister always supported her and advised her as only sisters can. She was adored by her Mawmaw and Pawpaw Hainor, and all the cousins from her Hainor family. She was adored by Grandma and Grandpa Craig, and all her many-many cousins from the Bost family. If there’s one thing our family has, it’s cousins. But family is the roots from which we all grow, and Erika had strong roots.

Growing up, Erika was a true child of the 80’s. She loved movies, the mall, the food court, and shopping until she dropped. She loved her many friends from Barboursville WV, and her Farmdale Family. Her summer days were spent outside, in the neighborhood, playing spotlight and catching fireflies at dusk. Her nights were spent with one of her true loves, movies. Erika loved movies like only a true film-buff can. She had a keen mind for remembering detail, and was legendary for her ability to recall the entire cast of any movie she enjoyed. If you wanted to make Erika happy, ask her if she wants to go see a movie. If you really wanted to make Erika happy, ask her if she wants to try a new restaurant after the movie. She enjoyed being out, living life, new experiences, and staying on the move. Erika was a hard worker, but didn’t let her work consume her. While many of us focus on our work week, Erika understood that the real focus should be the weekend. I think we all admired her ability to see the weekend from a Monday, and I think in this day and age of turmoil, we realize she was right. Our time is not infinite, and tomorrow is most certainly not guaranteed.

Erika’s room was always a snapshot of her personality. There were things new, and always things old. True to her Hainor genes, Erika was sentimental. Her room was, and still is impeccably decorated and curated to represent the things she loved. Adorning her walls, you’ll find tickets to Broadway plays, decorations that catch her eye, and of course pictures of her family. She was so proud of her family. All her cousins, her brother and sister, and most importantly her nieces and nephews. When Erika lost her husband Charles, in a tragic and painfully untimely way, Erika moved back to her comfort zone, which was home. From that moment forward I think Erika decided her new role was Aunt Erika, and she embraced it with new purpose. Erika lived to spend time with her nieces and nephews. If you were to visit Erika’s social media pages, that comes through loud and clear. Her nieces and nephews loved her too. From the earliest ages they all knew that time spent with Aunt Erika meant going places and having fun. When the news of her passing was told to “her babies”, they wept. There was no confusion, there was no explaining needed, they simply wept at THEIR loss. In that moment there was no question that her time with them mattered, and her loss was painfully felt. They will forever hold dear the time that they had with their sweet Aunt Erika.

We will all miss our Erika. While this doesn’t seem fair, and the suddenness of it makes it seem unreal, her time on this earth made an impact on all that met her. She spent it with the people she loved, doing the things she loved. She’s holding Charles’ hand, looking down on us, smiling at the outpouring of love and support, knowing that her life was well lived and that her memory and spirit will live on through all of us.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM - Thursday, March 10, 2022 at First Reformed Church of Landis with Rev. David Franks officiating. Burial will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared at www.linn-honeycutt.com.

Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Erika Hainor English.