Margaret Ervin

On December 15, 1934 the Creator created one of his most beautiful and captivating creations, Margaret Lee Joiner. She was the third of eight children born to Albert and Caroline Joiner in Macon, Mississippi. She attended school in Noxubee County. She confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Vance, Mississippi. There she would serve in various capacities, but the gift that brought her most joy was using her beautiful voice for the Lord. Due to her being born into a musically inclined family, as a young lady, she was highly sought after to go from church to church singing solos. On one particular Sunday her singing touched the heart of George Ervin. On October 27, 1951 they were joined in holy matrimony. Married 71 years, 11 months and 16 days, to this union eight children were born. In 1957, they relocated to Kankakee, IL where they joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Otto, IL under Pastor John A. Lanes’ leadership. They later joined Morning Star Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Frank Smith. She accredits her spiritual growth to Pastor William Copeland who served as her pastor for over 30 years. She sang in the choir faithfully until her health began to decline. Margaret worked at Mortell Factory, Manteno Mental Health Hospital and Howe Development Center where she retired. She enjoyed singing and was most proud of seeing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren share that same passion for music and vocal artistry. She was a woman of a few words, but when she spoke everyone would listen. For example she proclaimed Pastor Howard Wills was her special son, we said “Yes ma'am!!” She loved gardening and tending to her yard. She cared for her flowers with such passion and grace. She made all of her family feel special. So much so that everyone thought they were the favorite. She sang a song I'm gonna Move on up a little higher. Well on 9/11 at high noon, with her family by her bedside, Margaret moved on up a little higher. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, George Ervin Sr.; three sons, Rev. Thomas Ervin, Bourbonnais, IL, Pastor George (Annette) Ervin Jr., Kansas City, MO, Angelo (Brenda) Ervin, Bourbonnais, IL; five daughters, Gloria McGill, Kankakee, IL, Martha Ervin, Lebanon, Tennessee, Betty Holmes, Bourbonnais, IL, Addie Wallace and Annette Flournoy, Manteno, IL. Due to the untimely death of her baby sister, she also raised two nieces, Mary (Woodrow) Teague and Jeanette Jackson, and two nephews, Dennis (Earlene) Joiner and Jesse Landingham, (deceased). She leaves two special spiritual daughters, Debbie Sykes and Paula Wells. She also leaves her prayer partner of 17 years, Lizzie Samuels; her very first caregiver, her great-grandson, Brandon Flournoy; 25 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; the Riley Family of Kansas City, MO; two sisters-in-law, Earnestine Joiner and Louise Ervin and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Fannie Johnson, Letha Joiner, Mary Horace, Hattie Humphrey, Alberta Vaughn and Carrie Hagler; brothers, Albert, John D., J. D. and Adam “Neal” Joiner; sisters-in-law, Louvenia Joiner and Alice Joiner and a great-granddaughter, Miracle Janae Ervin.

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Margaret Ervin

December 15, 1934 - September 11, 2023