{"id":6014,"date":"2026-07-15T04:34:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T04:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=6014"},"modified":"2026-07-15T04:34:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T04:34:00","slug":"a-part-of-me-died-too-dunn-family-lays-7-year-old-cashmere-parker-to-rest-after-deadly-apartment-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=6014","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A part of me died too\u2019: Dunn family lays 7-year-old Cashmere Parker to rest after deadly apartment fire"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) \u2014 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.<\/p>

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Cashmere\u2014the first grader was killed in a Fourth of July apartment fire at Ashbrooke Apartments on East Pope Street\u2014was laid to rest during a homegoing celebration at Central Baptist Church\u2019s Chapel in Dunn.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Armstrong was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.<\/p>\n

But inside the church, the focus was not on how Cashmere died.<\/p>\n

It was on how he lived.<\/p>\n

\u2018He made us better people\u2019<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Principal Beth Elmore remembered Cashmere as a child who loved to sing gospel songs, especially his favorite worship song, \u201cTrust in God.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said his voice will forever echo through the school.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/figure>\n
Photos from the celebration of life honoring Cashmere Parker, 7, who died in a Dunn house fire on July 4, 2026. (Justin Moore \/ CBS 17)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cCashmere made us a better people,\u201d Elmore said. \u201cI\u2019m a better principal. I can say fly high, sweet eagle. Your song forever echoes through the halls of Plain View.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elmore said Cashmere reminded everyone around him to slow down and care more.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

A mother\u2019s heartbreak<\/h2>\n

Cashmere\u2019s mother, Gloria Parker, fought back tears as she remembered the bond she shared with her son.<\/p>\n

She said Cashmere was adopted by her and her husband just five days after he was born.<\/p>\n

For seven years, she said he brought love, comfort, and happiness into their home.<\/p>

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\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
Cashmere\u2019s mother, Gloria Parker, speaks at his service (Justin Moore \/ CBS 17)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe brought joy in my heart. I brought joy in his heart,\u201d Parker said. \u201cAnd I thank God he ministered to me too for seven years, me and my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

But she said losing him changed her forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he died in that fire and burned, a part of me died too,\u201d Parker said.<\/p>\n

Still, Parker said her faith is helping her move forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod said I\u2019m going to be alright. My baby in heaven and I got to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n