Cecelia Dee “Chi Chi” Erickson

Cecelia Dee “Chi Chi” Erickson of Beaumont, Texas, went to be home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 14, 2024.

Chi Chi was born on August 18, 1941, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the oldest of five children of loving parents, Gene and Sue Cook. While Gene served in the Air Force, the Cooks frequently moved all over the country. Chi Chi attended 13 schools in 12 years. She was able to easily make friends and find fun in whatever new place they landed. She developed epilepsy when she was around 13 years old but tried never to let that slow her down or interfere with life. In high school, she enjoyed being on the cheerleading squad and going to all the dances. She often helped look out for her younger siblings and enjoyed making memories with them. Chi Chi was a stay-at-home mom throughout her adult life, though she was a teacher’s aide for a couple of years and also had formal beautician training. She spent the bulk of her life caring for her beloved children, Kris and Jeff, and maintaining the books for her and her husband Ron’s trucking company.

Chi Chi loved to craft, read, play games and above all enjoy time with her family. She loved babysitting her grandchildren, Nicole and Kimmi, and having grand adventures with them. Chi Chi made sure to share the love of Jesus, which she discovered in her teenage years, with all she met. Her deepest friendships and her family relationships were defined by the love of Christ which flowed through her. Chi Chi had a knack for being generous even when she had little, and for being excited with others even if she didn’t completely understand what they were excited about. She always wanted the very best for those she loved.

Chi Chi was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Sue Cook; her husband, Ron Erickson; and her brother-in-law, Roger Zastrow. She is survived by her sisters, Carol Elliot (Don), Diane Zastrow, Debbie Blake (Michael); her brother, Buddy Cook (Cheryl); her children, Kris Ingram and Jeff Baldon; her grandchildren, Kimmi and Aaron Haase and Nicole Morgan; and multiple nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews and cousins.

A gathering of Chi Chi’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Her Life to follow at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Westgate Memorial Baptist Church, 6220 Westgate, Beaumont. Her service will be available to view via live stream at www.westgatechurch.com/.

Her cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

We are asking that you do not send flowers (due to severe allergies). Instead, please make a donation to the Epilepsy Foundation Attn: Donor Services, 3540 Crain Highway Suite 675, Bowie, Maryland 20716 www.epilepsy.com/, or just meet the needs of somebody you know.