Erika Sparrow's Obituary
Erika Sparrow was born on June 25, 1993, in Gretna, Louisiana, to the union of Edward Paul and Rose Jackson Sparrow. Erika and her family lived in Gretna and Westwego, Louisiana for the first 12 years of her life. She attended Vic A. Pitre Elementary School in Westwego, La. Following a mandatory evacuation after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, they were relocated to Arkansas. Her oldest brother Robert was a senior at Southern University A&M in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the time, where he met his lovely wife, Megan. Erika, along with her mother and brother, Roger eventually made their home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She attended Siloam Springs Middle School and graduated from Main Street Academy. She later continued her education at Arkansas Tech University.
Erika developed her work history in the culinary arts, retail, sales, restaurant industries, and community service. She served a short term as an Outreach Coordinator through AmeriCorps at the St. James' Squire Jehegan Food Pantry and Outreach Center in Fayetteville. Erika had a genuine love for people and was always willing to lend a helping hand. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, her radiant smile, and her deep commitment to her community. She was known for her sweet personality, her kind soul, and her big heart.
Erika had a passion for cooking, singing, dancing, and spending cherished time with her beloved son Landon, while creating fond memories. She volunteered for many years in the community with her mother Rose, and at local food banks. She was deeply loved by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of getting to know her.
Erika leaves to cherish her memory -- son Landon Edward Jackson Pettus; husband, Mark Knepp; brothers, Robert J. Jackson (Megan), and Roger D. Jackson; and a large extended family, including her aunts Vivian Heard Moore (Roy), Dora Steele, Gilda Fisher (Glyn), Florence Hebert (Don), Lynette Sparrow, Donna Sparrow, Dorothy Guidry (Lyndon Sr.), and Diane Pugh (Tommy); and her uncles Keith Jackson, Russell Joseph Sparrow Jr., and Jerry Sparrow, along with a host of cousins, family members and many, many friends.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Lucille Watson and Joseph Jackson, Sr.; Russell Joseph and Ezila “Zip” Holmes Sparrow; and her uncles, Joseph Jackson, Jr.; Clarence, James, Robert Irvin and Andrew Jackson, Adam Sparrow (Donna) and Aunt Patti
Erika’s life was a testament of the scripture Matthew 25:36 (“I was naked, and you clothed me......”). She had compassion, resilience, and love for others. She was loved by many and turned any stranger into a friend. She will be deeply missed.
Memorial service will be 10:00 am Saturday April 4, 2026 at The Historical St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
The family invites everyone to join us for a repass immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. We would love you to share a meal and continue celebrating Erika’s life with us.
---In lieu of flowers and to honor her memory, the family invites donations to the education fund for her son Landon Pettus. Please proceed to the following link: https://go.fidelity.com/3784ne
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