Funeral for Erin Peterson

WSLS NewsChannel 10
Published: April 24, 2007

CENTREVILLE- Erin Nicole Peterson was laid to rest Tuesday wearing a shirt from a Virginia Tech honor fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi.

Had she not been gunned down April 16 during French class, she would have been inducted three days later into the society that promotes scholarship, leadership, and fellowship.

Hundreds of people gathered at Mount Olive Baptist Church, filling the sanctuary, watching on TV screens in the fellowship hall and under a huge tent. More people spilled across the church's lawn.

They came to remember the 6-ft-1 former basketball team captain at Westfield High School who had entered Tech last fall to study international affairs. Westfield basketball players in their black and white jerseys and more than a dozen Phi Sigma Pi members crowded into the sanctuary.

"She brightened up the room with her smile," recalled society member Mark Brokaw.

Erin's mother, Celeste, greeted every mourner at the church front door, as her father, Grafton, waited inside. The Petersons had lost a daughter before Erin was born, and they raised her as an only child.

Erin, who was just 18, was remembered by Deaconess Melissa Simms as a "daddy's girl" who loved watching movies and staying in with her family.

"Erin's personality was a wonderful blend of warmth and magnetism anchored by a sound moral compass," Simms told the congregation. "She lived a life that was filled with joy and freely shared that joy with others."

As mourners filed past the open casket, many reached for tissues. Church members passed cups of water to those outside as the temperature climbed during the two-and-a-half hour service. Only a few left.

Rev. Eugene Johnson made the service a celebration of Erin's life, and the choir sang upbeat contemporary Christian songs. A woman danced in aisle, waving a long ribbon attached to a stick as everyone sang, swayed and clapped to the music.

"This celebration allows us to understand that victory was not in the hands of the perpetrator," Johnson said. "Evil may have come into her presence, but evil did not win. She has risen above all things."

Cho Seung-Hui who killed Peterson and 31 other Virginia Tech students before killing himself also graduated from Westfield. His name was never mentioned.

Westfield's principal, Tim Thomas, said Peterson was the definition of a model student. "She was a true bulldog on the basketball court," he said, referring to the school's mascot. "Off court, she was gentle and sweet like a puppy dog."

Earving Blythe, a vice president at Virginia Tech, fought back tears as he said, "This celebration has done more to restore me and get me through these days."

After only a few months on campus, Peterson had been elected co-president of EMPOWER, a group that builds self esteem and confidence in minority girls.

"Every day, Erin tried to help those around her become better persons," Blythe said. "She came to Virginia Tech already fulfilling its motto, 'That I may serve.'"

After the service, a funeral cortege led by 16 motorcycle police officers left the church for Round Hill, Va., where Peterson was buried at Rock Hill Cemetery.

Written on the back of a blue pickup truck were the words, "We love and miss you, Erin."