Erica Lowery was born on September 22, 1979 in East St. Louis, Illinois to the union of Willie E. Lowery and Minnie P. Lowery. Erica was the youngest of 7 children. Erica confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and later became a member of Divine Holiness Temple.

Erica attended Dunbar Elementary and Hughes Quinn. She graduated from Alternative High in 1999. Erica continued her education at SWIC for office clerk and later attended Everest College for billing and coding.

On August 18, 2008, Erica became a first time mom to Ashanti M. Vaughn and her journey began. Erica was a full time mother and took care of her baby who has cerebral palsy. Erica later gave birth to her last child Alecia Vaughn. Shen enjoyed motherhood and loved to shop for her girls. Erica had a love for children and had a host of godchildren and she loved them all.

Erica was a very outspoken person. She was goofy when she was around family and friends. She would talk and say the craziest things. Her favorite saying was "Walk the green mile, you better get it right with Jesus" from the move Green Mile. She would yell that quote every morning. Erica was good for remembering funny stories about growing up and would do this funny laugh that made others laugh.

Erica loved when family and friends would come and visit her. She loved listening to gospel, blues, and R&B music. Erica was a hype woman and was very lively.

Erica is preceded in death by her parents, Willie E. Lowery and Minnie P. Lowery; as well as her brother Bunic "Al" Price and her special nephew, Athel Stewart.

Erica departed this life on November 24, 2020. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her two daughters, Ashanti and Alecia Vaughn (East St. Louis); two sisters, Elaine Stewart of East St. Louis, IL and Bessie Lowery of Norfolk, VA; brothers, Roger Lowery of East St. Louis, IL, Willie (Kim) Lowery of Collinsville, Il, Nathaniel (Velda) Lowery of Decatur, GA; special nieces, Cynthia Stewart Mays of St. Louis, MO and Lashonda Stewart of Cahokia, IL.