Samiane, Douangpee, and Ericsson Funeral

We want to thank everyone for their well wishes and condolences and allowing our family to come together, brush off the daze, and begin planning our loved ones memorial. On Tuesday, May 30th, we lost 4 of our family members. They were traveling back home on I-81 from the Tennessee Lao New Year festival held annually and were struck by a tractor-trailer. Our loved ones perished in this incident. Our family has lost a mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister, Douangpee Amnatkeo, 54; brother, uncle, great uncle, Samiane Kothpratoum, 38; son, brother, and cousin, Ericsson Kothpratoum, 13; and father, brother, and cousin, Monthy Matnopaseuth.

Monthy, our beloved cousin, has a separate GoFundMe account created by his family members and donations can be sent his GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/977cc864).

We are making this GoFundMe to assist with the ever increasing funeral costs to send our loved ones to the afterlife based on the Laotian traditions we were born and raised with.

All donations will go to aiding our family to appropriately hold both a traditional Laotian funeral and American funeral for everyone their lives have touched.

Douangpee has encountered and touched many lives as she struggled to make a living selling sugar cane juice and Laotian desserts during cultural festivals. She is a caring eldest sister and loving mother who cannot be replaced.

Samiane traveled everywhere to spread his joy of life to all. He has touched so many lives. He provided a guiding light in people’s darkest moments, would lend his shirt off his back to anyone in need, be a shoulder to cry on, or the life of the party for a celebration. No matter how big or little the occasion, he would always find his way to be there for everyone.

Ericsson embodies both an excellent student and a loving son. He has created so many lasting friendships after settling down in the Shippensburg Area School District in Shippensburg, PA after countless moves. Regardless of the trials and tribulations, he aided his mother, Doungpee, to follow her dreams as an entrepreneur. His manners are well beyond his age and brought a smile to everyone that has ever met him.

This GoFundMe is being set up in their honor, to assist our family in this dire time of need to cover the funeral costs for our three loved ones who were lost when struck by a semi-truck during a rainstorm on I-81 in Roanoke VA. This sudden and unplanned loss has been a detriment for our family and we appreciate any donations anyone can provide. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

All donation collected will be used to pay funeral expenses, which will be handled by Cindy AmnatkeoLee the surviving daughter of Duangpee, sister of Ericsson & niece of Samiane.