Erica Denise Townsend-Whitfield was born January 8, 1994 in Chicago, Illinois to Warren Robinson White and Yolanda Denise Shores (Jones).  Erica's warm and friendly persona touched many lives during the time she was here.  She loved her family and friends, her church, and she loved life.  Erica gave her life to the Lord at an early age and became a member of Greater New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church of Holiness in Chicago, IL.  In February 2016, she joined Bethesda Fellowship Ministries in Copperas Cove, Texas.

Erica graduated from Gwendolyn Brooks Preparatory Academy and furthered her education at Olive Harvey College in Chicago, Illinois.  She worked as a Sales Associate for Dollar General and had recently been hired as a Transportation Security Agent (TSA).  Erica loved singing and dancing and spending time with family and friends.  As a member of Bethesda Fellowship Ministries' Music Team, Erica's "big voice" caused everyone in the soprano section to smile and take notice.  Her smile was infectious.  Known as "Chicago" by her Pastor, she had the ability to flash her beautiful smile even in the most difficult times, providing encouragement to others around her.

Erica is survived by her father Warren White and step-mother Tony of Chicago, IL; her mother Yolanda Shores (Jones) and step-father Charles A. of Killeen, TX; four sisters Tranel Hill-Barrett (Jones) and her husband Jekilan of Houston, TX; Tacara Causey of Houston, TX; Cypre Walton of Killeen, TX; and Rebecca Brock of Chicago, IL who preceded her in death; four brothers Zachary Spiller of Killeen, TX; Alexander Spiller and his wife Angie of Killeen, TX; William Brock of Chicago, IL; and Jeremiah Herrings of Copperas Cove, TX; grandparents Jewel Houston of Joliet, IL; Jewel Shores of Rockford, IL; and Rose Robinson of Killeen, TX.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents Norma Lee White and Warren White Sr. of Chicago, IL.  She leaves to mourn her passing a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends who loved her dearly.