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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JAMES ERVIN
______
HON. TERRI A. SEWELL
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 24, 2019
Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life
of Mr. James Ervin, a Foot Solider in the American Voting Rights
Movement, Vietnam Veteran, and Son of Selma, Alabama.
An advocate for social justice in every sense of the word, Mr. Ervin
was only sixteen years old when he dared to participate in Selma's
voting rights movement. He marched in many demonstrations and was
arrested with schoolmates in the name of equality and justice. Mr.
Ervin also participated in the infamous march across the Edmund Pettus
Bridge in Selma on Bloody Sunday, coverage of which helped contribute
to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Upon graduation from
high school, Mr. Ervin continued his record of public service and
sacrifice by enlisting in the United States Army and serving our
country honorably in the Vietnam War.
Mr. James ``Ebo'' Ervin was born in Selma, Alabama, on October 27,
1948, and he departed this life on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Mobile,
Alabama. He was preceded in death by his father Willie Ervin; his
mother, Willie Lee Ervin (nee: Goodwin); and his brother Albert ``Joe''
Ervin.
Mr. Ervin was in high school during the civil rights movement in the
Selma-Montgomery area. He actively participated in the events of the
time with the hopes of changing the area and the nation. He has been
recognized as an original Foot Soldier of the movement. Mr. Ervin went
on to graduate from R.B. Hudson High School in May 1967. He faithfully
attended class reunions and maintained lifelong friendships with his
classmates. Shortly after graduation, Mr. Ervin joined the U.S. Army
and served our nation during the Vietnam War.
After returning home to Selma, he attended and graduated from Wallace
Community College where he received an Associate Degree in Industrial
Electricity in October 1974. After graduation, he relocated to Mobile,
Alabama, where he began working in various shipyards around the Gulf
Coast area. He was employed with Bender Shipbuilding for 10 years then
went on to work for Ingalls Shipbuilding, where he worked for 27 years
until his retirement.
Mr. Ervin accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age. His personal
relationship with the Lord was very important to him and he was always
encouraging others to work on their own personal relationship with God.
He joined Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Selma and considered it
to be his home church, but he was also an active member of New Faith
Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, where he was in regular attendance
and served the church as needed.
Mr. Ervin was the youngest of Willie and Willie Lee's seven children.
He is survived by his siblings: Willie (Gloria) Ervin, Jr., Maggie
Harris, Charles Ervin, Mary Lee, and Solomon (Joan) Ervin.
After the passing of his mother Willie Lee Ervin, James was blessed
to be welcomed into the family of Lula Marie Edwards. She embraced him
as her son and he loved her as his mother.
Along with Lula, Mr. Ervin is mourned by his siblings: Brenda
(Steven) Brazzelle, Anthony Edwards, Amy (Roosevelt) Marzette,
Stephanie (Ricky) Menifee, Lewis (Lisa) Edwards, Bonita (Calvin)
Andrews, and Derrick Edwards, and half siblings, Solomon ``TC'' Ervin,
Gloria Walker, and Raymond Walker.
Mr. Ervin shared unique and special relationships with each of his 16
siblings and his relationships with his children and grandchildren were
no different. He leaves seven children to cherish his memories: Grace
(Tommy) Johnson, Glenda Reaves, Barry Lowe, Elecia Scott, Ericka
Priester, James Levan (La'Shell) Peasant, and Christopher Charles
Peasant; twelve grandchildren: Tomequa (Norris, Jr.) Lewis, Tierra
Robinson, Christopher Reaves, Brandon Bennett, Jailynn Peasant, Zyia
Peasant, Janea Scott, Tobiasz Johnson, Tommasz Johnson, Jaichelle
Peasant, Elisha Brayden Scott, and Jaceyon Alexander Long; two great
grandchildren, Madisyn Lewis and Tamari Jacob Smith; a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins, and friends, including one devoted sister Maggie
Harris, a devoted niece, Franchy Harris Coleman; and special friends,
Joseph Smitherman, Calvin Thomas, and Robert Hatcher.
On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District and a grateful
nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mr. Ervin's
contributions to bettering the Selma and Mobile communities and our
nation.
____________________