James Ervin
July 12, 1915 — February 8, 2008
James Gray Ervin, 92, of Waynesboro and formerly of McDowell, died Friday, February 08, 2008 at Oak Grove Manor. He was born July 12, 1915 at Riverside Farm in Williamsville and was the oldest of three sons born to Robert James and Laten Gray (Revercomb) Ervin.
Jim graduated from Millboro High School in 1935 and spent the next four years farming the family land. In 1939, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served for 30 years, retiring in 1969 from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. After his retirement, Jim worked in Saudi Arabia as a Chief for Supply Procedures from 1970 to 1972. His career took him around the world but in his retirement he chose to settle in Highland County near the home of his youth.
He was a member of the McDowell Presbyterian Church and attended the McDowell United Methodist Church. He was a member of Sons of the American Revolution.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Samuel R. Ervin and Robert M. Ervin.
He is survived by a very dear special companion of 22 years, Martha Mae Shumate of Oak Grove Manor; special “grandchildren”, Lauren and Lele Shumate and Shyla Hise; very special great- nieces, Morgan Ervin, Amber Whitelaw and Tara Ryder; four nephews and their spouses, Jerry Ervin of Hughes Springs, TX, Jerry Ervin of Cincinatus, NY, Sam and Gail Ervin of McDowell and Steven and Patricia Ervin of West Virginia and three nieces, Laten Bechtel and husband, Charles of Staunton, Shirley Talbot of Cincinatus, NY and Alice Patler of Staunton and a number of great- nieces and great- nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, February 10, 2008 at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell by the Rev. Dave Boger. Burial will be in the Williamsville Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Steven Ervin, Steve, Jeff and Lewis Wilson Shumate, Nick Patler and Brent Obaugh. Honorary pallbearers will be friends attending the service. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Highland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, VA or McDowell Youth Group, 614 Fraser Lane, Staunton, VA.