Erika Kristen Knode

Die hard Baltimore Ravens fan, born and bred a Marylander who described herself as temporarily held “prisoner” in San Antonio, Texas since 2003, Medical Assistant, cancer survivor, three time brain surgery veteran, a youthful adventurer with a quirky sense of fun and a thirst and quest to attempt new thrills from the newest rollercoaster, the newest and scariest thriller or horror movie, to riding in an aerobatic bi-plane, A loving granddaughter, sister and daughter- and friend to people and animals of all shapes and sizes passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 16, 2014 due to complications of Epilepsy.

Erika was born October 16, 1986 in Columbia, Maryland and became a resident of San Antonio when her family moved there in 2003. She was a graduate of Clark High School and an Honors Graduate of Hallmark College (Associate Degree) in San Antonio, Texas. She worked as a scheduler in the Radiology Lab at Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio.

Erika is survived by her parents Kenneth Knode of Germantown, Maryland and Barbara and Jeff English of San Antonio, TX.; and her “second mom” and Aunt Leslie Claiborne (Rich) of Raleigh, N.C.; her sisters Jackie Walling, 25 (Todd) and Christina Knode, 21 of whom she was so proud; and her step brothers Brandon, 28 and Jason English,21. She also leaves her maternal grandparents Bob and Doris Williams of Narrows, VA and her paternal grandparents Dan and Barbara Knode, of Fort Washington, Maryland.

Erika also leaves an extended family network of 8 Uncles and Aunts and over twenty cousins that she cherished dearly and a large network of friends that she actively maintained contact with via social media and other ways.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, 6410 Amherst Avenue, Columbia, Maryland, the church Erika was baptized in and attended until a senior in high school when her famly moved to Texas. There will be a viewing at 10 A.M. and the funeral service will follow at 11 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you consider making a donation in Erika’s name to the Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas of San Antonio, TX 78217-3142 (Federal Tax ID: 760415338) You can make that donation directly through Facebook by searching for Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas. You may also make a donation in Erika’s name to Johns Hopkins Hospital -Department of Neurology, c/o Martina Grunwald, Director of Development Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 550 North Broadway, Seventh Floor, Suite 731 Baltimore, MD 21205. Your donation will help to directly fund research into Epilepsy and its treatment.