CHAPEL HILL, NC -Erin Brett Lindsay-Calkins, 26, of Efland, NC died Tuesday Dec. 22, 2009 following a car/train collision. Her son Nicholas Aedon Lindsay, 5, was also killed. Her 4-month-old daughter, Aven Brooke Lindsay-Calkins, survived the accident.

Born Nov. 16, 1983 in Raleigh, NC, Erin attended Fuquay-Varina Elem., West Lake Elem. and Middle Schools, and was homeschooled in high school. She earned an associate degree from Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro, NC and a BA in Women’s Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill. Erin recently took maternity leave from work as a research assistant at Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health, 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 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 husband Mike, her true soulmate. Her sister Brittany remembers Erin as the “best sissiepoo” ever.
Survivors include husband Michael Curtis Lindsay-Calkins of Efland, NC and formerly of Manteca, Ca., 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, NC, parents-in-law Curtis and Diane Calkins of Mocksville, NC, sisters-in-law Sarah Calkins and Christina Redfearn and husband Nick of Mocksville, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Preceding her in death were grandparents Thomas and Mildred Ferguson of Florence, SC.

Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 MLK Blvd./Historic Airport Rd, Chapel Hill. Friends and family are invited to fellowship following the service at the home of parents Steve and Nadean Lindsay, Chapel Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center, PO Box 1105, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or to a benevolence fund set up at State Employees Credit Union which will be used for a scholarship and care for surviving daughter Aven.

Online condolences may be sent to www.walkersfuneralservice.com