Joseph Franklin Ervin was born May 13, 1928 in Forsyth County, North Carolina to the late George Butler and Rosabelle Dalton Ervin. Joseph was called to his eternal home at the age of 95, on June 13, 2023.

He attended Carver School and left at an early age to be of assistance to his parents at home. Joseph later joined the United States Navy where he served as a steward. The rest of his working career was spent as an employee of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company,

Throughout his life Joseph always exhibited a strong work ethic. Joseph always arrived at work or to an event on time, or in most cases ahead of time. He expected punctuality from his family, doctors and everyone else. In his later years, he was more forgiving of others when they were running late.

When given a task to complete, Joseph could be depended upon to get the job done from start to finish with a spirit of excellence. Whether training employees on the job at Reynolds, shopping for groceries, doing the laundry or chauffeuring his beloved wife, he took pride in completing his tasks efficiently and with a joyful spirit.

Joseph and his wife Anna were married for 68 years. They were role models to their children and grandchildren by showing them how to remain united in spite of differing opinions. When faced with challenging situations, Joseph and Anna prayed, listened to each other's point of view and then worked together to come up with solutions that they both could agree upon.

Joseph was a servant leader in his home, church and community. He led by example with integrity, zeal and excellence. In his home he provided structure, security and stability for his family. On Sunday morning, the children knew that there would be stacks of coins for each one of them. They were not for a weekly allowance, but to put into the offering plate at church.

Joseph was an active member of Bethania A.M.E. Zion Church and remained active in the church until experiencing health challenges. Joseph and Anna together exemplified a lifestyle where church and school activities were prioritized. He and the entire family participated together in worship, Sunday school and other church activities. All of his children were expected to know the 10 Commandments and Psalm 23 at an early age.

Sunday was an important day to Joseph and the Ervin household. After the Sunday church service, dinner that had been prepared (mostly on Saturday) by both parents was ready. Fried chicken and grape Kool--Aid or fresh lemonade were Sunday dinner staples. Joseph was the beverage maker for the meal, and he always called on one of the family members to sample. It was an honor to be the one to give the final stamp of approval before his concoction was served. Sunday dinner often included extended family members and friends. In the earlier years, the preacher and his family also frequented the Sunday dinners. Joseph and his wife Anna used these occasions as opportunities to teach their children that there are times that they were expected to put others before themselves. They might not get their favorite piece of chicken as guests and elders were served first. Joseph and his wife were very much involved in modeling and teaching family values and manners to their children. After dinner, the children usually went off to participate in their own activities, while the adults interacted with each other. As Joseph and Anna's children became adults, married and became parents, after dinner interaction became multigenerational. It became important for the grandchildren and great grandchildren to learn from and have their own memories of their elders. Joseph enjoyed playing board games, horseshoe pitching, family cookouts and making homemade ice cream with family participation.

Education was also important to Joseph and the family participated in school activities such as PTA and school programs. After retirement, he volunteered in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system as a lunch monitor and reading buddy. Joseph never missed an opportunity to vote in local, state, or federal elections.

Joseph loved to sing with his siblings at the Ervin family reunions each summer and was also a member of: Senior Choir, Gospel Choir and Men's Choir. As a servant leader, Joseph served on the Steward Board, was Chaplain of the Conference Lay Council, and President of the Winston Salem District Lay Council for more than 10 years.

In his latter months of life, he was literally a walking miracle inspired by the scripture Isaiah 40:31. He was told that he would not be able to stay at home without a lift, but on his second night home, he said that he felt like getting up. So, he miraculously sat up on his own, was able to stand with his walker, and had dinner at the table in his wheelchair.

He was preceded in death by his parents Butler and Rosabelle Dalton Ervin; his wife Anna Shouse Ervin; two sons Raymond Littlejohn Jr. and Wayne Littlejohn; sisters, Mary Abbott, Elizabeth Valentine, and Marie Mitchell; brothers, Jimmy Valentine, Wilson Ervin, and Jakay Ervin.

He leaves to celebrate his life and legacy his children, two devoted daughters, Renda (Floyd) Perry of Charlotte, NC and Pamela Nolan of Winston-Salem, NC; a faithful son, Philip Littlejohn (Peggy); two daughters-in-law; Barbara Littlejohn of Gardena, CA and Nettie Littlejohn of Winston-Salem, NC; eight grandchildren Justin (Lee) Perry, Jeanelle Perry and Joseph Perry of Charlotte, NC; Candrice (Khalif) Oliver of Wake Forest, NC, Bryan (Casondra) Littlejohn of Durham, NC, Raymond Littlejohn III of Gardena, CA, Pia Hardy and Ashley Nolan of Winston-Salem, NC. ; 10 great grandchildren: Justin "Gray" Perry Jr.; Stella Anna Perry; Skyler Nolan; Jacob Oliver; Micah Oliver; Gavin and Grayson Hardy; Camryn Littlejohn; and Bryson and Carlyn Littlejohn. Also remembering him fondly are 3 sisters-in-law: Minnie Ervin, Hannah Eldridge, and Mollie Mclain; an adopted son, Kenneth Dobbins; adopted daughters: Princess Settles and Dr. Theresa Johnson; one official godson: DJ Jones; an adopted granddaughter: Nicole Blackmon; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and loving children who simply called him "Uncle Joe."

Public viewing will be from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Friday, June 23, 2023 at Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service 12:00 PM, Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church, 1435 E. Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Interment in Bethania AME Zion Church, 2120 Bethania-Rural Hall Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106.