[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 88 (Friday, May 24, 2019)]
[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.

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