James Thomas Ervin

James Thomas Ervin, 81, of Boyle, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2015, at his home. Visitation will be 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at Ray Funeral Home. Celebration of Life services will immediately follow beginning at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at Ray Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Starnes officiating. Interment will be in North Cleveland Cemetery. Mr. Ervin was born September 28, 1933, in Clarksdale to Charles Thomas Ervin and Gladys Amanda Satchfield Ervin. He was a graduate of Cleveland High School who served in the Army National Guard from 1951 to 1956. Mr. Ervin attended Delta State University and in 1956 he graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Education. While in college, he formed a dance band that traveled the Delta playing and recruiting students for DSU. On March 6, 1974, he married the love of his life, Elsie Lynn Holder Hester.
He was a high school band director for 18 years teaching in Hollandale, Belzoni, Batesville and Cleveland. He could play numerous instruments, but his personal choices were the clarinet and alto saxophone. He participated in the Delta State Wind Ensemble for many years. During high school, he and his father learned to fly and his love for flight continued into his adulthood as an AG pilot for 40 years. Mr. Ervin was a talented wood worker and built fine furniture. Jimmy was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and attending Delta State sporting events. A charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Jimmy loved his family dearly including his wife of 41 years, his son who was his best friend, daughter in law and grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Thomas Ervin and Gladys Amanda Satchfield Ervin. Mr. Ervin is survived by his wife, Elsie Lynn Ervin of Boyle; son, James Thomas Ervin, Jr. (Diana) of Germantown, TN; and grandson, Grayson Thomas Ervin of Germantown, TN. Pallbearers will be Gary Fioranelli, Chuck Reynolds, Gene Ayers, Ferrell Lunceford, Tommy Brooks, Jimmy Hayward, John Townsend and Lamar Satchfield. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jim Hunter McCaleb, Dr. Johnny Arnold, Jim Boggs, Dr. Wayne Lee, Pete Peden, Joe Smith, Jimmy Gregory, Tommy Griffin and Dossie Shook.

Visitation

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Celebration of Life

2:00 pm Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment

North Cleveland Cemetery. N Bayou Cleveland, Mississippi, United States