Stacy Watkins Erb

Wife, Mother, Friend

Obituary

Stacy Watkins Erb, 77, of Salisbury, NC passed away Monday, May 26, 2025 at TerraBella of Salisbury Memory Care.
Stacy was born November 21, 1947 in Richmond, VA to the late Rose Stacy Watkins and Julian Carter Watkins. She obtained her master’s degrees from UNC Chapel Hill and Sonoma State University. She was a high school math and special education teacher as well as a steadfast advocate for women’s rights.
Surviving is her husband of 54 years, Michael Erb; son, Marcus Erb and his wife Christine and daughters Audrey and Avery of Lafayette, CA; daughter, Allison Erb and husband Trent Jones of Roanoke, VA; and niece Michelle Salyers and husband Rich Frankel of Fishers, IN.
Stacy grew up in the town of Emporia, VA where she formed lifelong friendships. Emporia never left her heart over the years, and she loved reminiscing about her friends and family there. After high school, she continued her education at St. Mary’s Junior College and then UNC Chapel Hill earning both an undergraduate and master’s degree. She formed friendships at both schools that last til this day.
It was at Chapel Hill that she meet Mike whom she married December 19, 1970. They began their life together in Atlanta, GA where she taught high school math while Mike finished his education and entered the work force. Once they began their family, Stacy left teaching to become a full-time mom. It was at this time she became a strong advocate for women’s rights. She joined the National Organization Of Women focusing on lobbying the Georgia legislature — not an easy task for a woman in the early 1980’s!
Stacy later moved with her family to the San Francisco Bay Area and returned to school for a master’s in special education. Shortly after the move, Mike was diagnosed with a rare cancer and Stacy devoted herself to helping Mike survive cancer and readjust after a life-saving multi-organ transplant surgery. Amazingly she completed her second master’s degree during this same time and then became a special resource teacher at the local high school. In response to a limiting school bureaucracy, Stacy forged a new path in starting her own company to focus on home schooling of children with special education needs. She continued this work until she and Mike retired in 2004 and moved to Mike’s hometown of Salisbury, NC.
While in San Francisco, Stacy was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s — a progressive disease with no cure. She did not let this stop her as she continued to follow her twin passions of bird watching and fishing. She took many trips throughout the United States and Central America bird watching, plus spending time on her beloved Montana trout streams, costal North Carolina and High Rock lake.
After retirement, she enjoyed many years living with Mike on High Rock Lake and pursuing her passions and making new friends in the process. Eventually the Parkinson’s progressed to the point she needed specialized care and she moved to the memory care unit of Terrabella of Salisbury. She lived a full life there until her health failed.
Stacy had a love for others and always wanted to help those in need. She began a practice of taking people who had lost their mother under her wing, becoming a second mother to them. This continued until her Parkinson’s advanced to end stage. Stacy had a love of learning, pursing hobbies such as genealogy, reading, and quilting. She loved sports and never missed a chance to cheer for the Tar Heels. She loved spending time with her granddaughters, whether swimming, going to a baseball game, or singing a bedtime rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
The family is planning a celebration of Stacy’s life to be held at a future date to be determined.
We thank the amazing staff at Terrabella for allowing Stacy to finish her life journey in a caring and comfortable place. Also, we have great appreciation for Trellis Hospice staff for easing her journey from this world.

Gallery

Memory wall

August 3, 2025

Such a fun and smart lady. She enriched the life of knucklehead Frat boys. She made us better people.
As we matured she made us better adults. She was a truly special lady.

Art Tucker

July 26, 2025

I remember early on, before personally getting to know Mrs. Erb as well as I was blessed to have the pleasure of further down the line, looking forward to her visits with my daughter Katie at my father’s house down the road from hers. She had taken a liking to Katie and made a special effort to spend time with her including bringing her little gifts, teaching her math in cool new ways and lots of smiles and laughter. I knew right away that anyone that could be so wonderful to my child was someone I could trust wholeheartedly and our friendship grew from there. But make no mistake, Mrs. Erb was so much more than just a friend to us, she was a gift, a gift from God.

Melissa McArver

June 27, 2025

Aunt Stacy and I bonded extra when singing Amazing Grace (while holding one another’s hand) to her sister, Julie, before Julie’s passing. When my family and I moved to North Carolina for my husband‘s job, Mike and Stacy where our family there. Steve, Norah, Boaz, Ben, and I treasure those we can spent at the lake with Mike and Stacy. We went fishing, swam, attended Stacy’s church, had wonderful talks over dinners, and talked about our joy at knowing we’d see Julie again one day. Staci was a beautiful person inside and out… She loved my family so well. I always thank God for that time with Mike and Stacy. And I look forward to seeing her again.

Pics: Stacy with Boaz and Ben

Meridith Anne Black

June 19, 2025

I remember Stacy, her sister, Julianna, her mom, Rose and her dad, Carter, a best friend. The Watkins and their kin were a positive influence in Emporia. I was privileged and honored to hand Stacy and her classmates their diplomas.' They were great kids, and I miss them.

Bill Overbey

June 19, 2025

Stacy was a great friend to me. We enjoyed many happy times together from fishing and waterskiing on the lake, to long political talks, dancing, shopping, and always surrounded us was love and laughter. I will miss her more than words can say. To her dedicated husband, Mike... thank you for taking such great care of my family. Stacy: remember to save me a place in Heaven; we will be together again. Love you, girlfriend :heart::heart:

Susan Linza

June 19, 2025

I am so saddened to hear of Stacy’s passing. We were classmates at GCHS, and enjoyed seeing each other at school reunions to catch up on family and busy lives. We were also neighbors on Madison Street, with only one house between us. We had many other schoolmates on the street and nearby. It was during a time when life was simple in a small wonderful town. We played outside with neighbors after dinner. With no social media, we enjoyed activities like catching lightning bugs in a jar, hide and seek, crack the whip, Simon Says, and laughing until almost dark and time to go inside. We also enjoyed being in the youth group together in the same church. Prayers are going up for Stacy’s family and friends as we remember the wonderful life that she lived.

Joyce Potter

June 19, 2025

‘Cousin’ that’s what she called me. Too many miles separated us to be closer. But then we found ‘ words with friends ‘ and got reacquainted that way. We loved it! Before her parkinsons got bad we rekindled a very fond, family relationship. I will treasure that time.
And Mike I’m so glad she had you for support, and for keeping me posted on her progress. I feel so sad for you. May she rest in peace. Fondly
‘Cousin’

Barb