‘A part of me died too’: Dunn family lays 7-year-old Cashmere Parker to rest after deadly apartment fire

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — A church was filled with tears, prayers, and songs of faith as family, friends, teachers, and an entire community gathered to celebrate the life of 7-year-old Cashmere Elijah Parker on Tuesday.

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Cashmere—the first grader was killed in a Fourth of July apartment fire at Ashbrooke Apartments on East Pope Street—was laid to rest during a homegoing celebration at Central Baptist Church’s Chapel in Dunn.

Dunn police said the fire was accidentally started by 35-year-old Brittany Armstrong after illegal fireworks were set off near the apartment building. Investigators have also told CBS 17 that one of the fireworks shot into the apartment where Cashmere and his father had just gone to bed, causing the flames to spread quickly.

Armstrong was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

But inside the church, the focus was not on how Cashmere died.

It was on how he lived.

‘He made us better people’

Teachers and staff from Plain View Elementary School, where Cashmere attended, filled the church to honor the little boy they say brought joy wherever he went.

Principal Beth Elmore remembered Cashmere as a child who loved to sing gospel songs, especially his favorite worship song, “Trust in God.”

She said his voice will forever echo through the school.

“Cashmere made us a better people,” Elmore said. “I’m a better principal. I can say fly high, sweet eagle. Your song forever echoes through the halls of Plain View.”

Elmore said Cashmere reminded everyone around him to slow down and care more.

“He reminds us to hug each other a little tighter, to smile a little bigger, to sing a little louder, to ask more questions, and to care deeply,” she said.

A mother’s heartbreak

Cashmere’s mother, Gloria Parker, fought back tears as she remembered the bond she shared with her son.

She said Cashmere was adopted by her and her husband just five days after he was born.

For seven years, she said he brought love, comfort, and happiness into their home.

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“He brought joy in my heart. I brought joy in his heart,” Parker said. “And I thank God he ministered to me too for seven years, me and my husband.”

But she said losing him changed her forever.

“When he died in that fire and burned, a part of me died too,” Parker said.

Still, Parker said her faith is helping her move forward.

“God said I’m going to be alright. My baby in heaven and I got to get there.”

Community steps in after more heartbreak

After Cashmere’s death, Parker said the family faced another devastating discovery.

She said the life insurance policy she had been paying for monthly to help cover expenses after his death did not exist.

The family believed the policy would provide $25,000 in coverage.

As they dealt with the unexpected financial burden, the community stepped in.

A fundraiser raised more than $20,000 to help the Parker family give Cashmere the farewell they wanted. Celestine Williams, who helped organize the effort, said the community wanted the family to know they were not alone.

“I can’t imagine the pain that the Parker family is feeling,” Williams said. “I have kids. I have grandkids.”

Williams said the support should continue even after the funeral.

“After this is all done with today, we still need to come together and love on each other and reach out to Mrs. Parker,” she said.

Remembering Cashmere

Family members say Cashmere will be remembered for his smile, his kindness, and the way he made people feel loved.

Angela Smith, a family friend, described the loss simply.

“Heartbreaking,” Smith said. “It’s very heartbreaking.”

As loved ones walked out of the church Tuesday, they carried memories of a 7-year-old boy whose life was short — but whose impact was lasting.

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“He reminds us to love deeper,” Elmore said.

And those who knew Cashmere said they will continue to carry his song with them.