Ervin Edwards

Ervin Harold Edwards was the second child born to Nevarro and Christine (Griffin) Edwards, Jr. on February 19, 1948, in Columbus, Ohio. He would be the only brother to eight (8) sisters his parents were blessed with throughout the years.

Ervin was named after his mother’s deceased brother. However, his grandmother did not wish to call him that, as her son, Ervin, had tragically lost his life a few years prior. His grandmother anointed her sweet boy, ‘Sonny.’

Sonny’s formative years were spent with his mother, stepfather, Julius B. Lovett, and two sisters enjoying military life at Fort Leonard Wood Army Base located in the Missouri Ozarks. He loved his life on the Base. It was there he learned to organize and command groups, to love and be loved, and to negotiate the direction of his life.

Ervin began his race to manhood at an early age; thus, he experienced a series of events that were not beneficial to his well-being. However, he also joined his father, a Semi-Truck driver, who taught him to drive, which he loved. Ervin became what they call a “Road Dog.” He has been in nearly all 48 contiguous states.

In his early twenties, Ervin joined the Marines for a short period, but found that he could not stay ‘still’ to become a successful “military man.” He departed military life for an adventurous stay in California with his new spouse. Although Ervin was not someone who “rooted” himself easily, he loved, was loved, and married several times over the years.

After a lifetime of adventure, and pursuit of “self,” Ervin passed away three days after his 76th birthday in Hillsboro, Ohio.

He will be missed.

Ervin was preceded in death by: three former loving wives and partners, Marie Toles, Robin Miller, and Ida Courtney; his parents, Christine Lovett, Nevarro Edwards, Jr, and stepfather, Julius B. Lovett; his sister, Norma Jean Penn; aunt, Regina Ruth Evans; uncles, Paul Lee Edwards and DeVern Lee Edwards; and his grandparents, Tom Griffin (Bessie Kithcath) and Mozell Curry (Stephen Bondurant), Nevarro Edwards, Sr. (Ruth Seay) and Missouri Mizell Edwards.

He leaves to mourn his loss: his current wife, Zoe Evenson; his three children, Tezona Courtney, Erwin LeMar Conley, of Columbus, Ohio, and Gayle Lebus, of Cleveland, Ohio. (Sonny also fathered a biracial son in 1962, whose mother held onto him for two years before submitting to her family to adopt him away.) Ervin also leaves seven sisters; Grisetta Griffin, Jacqueline Houston, Cristal Pass, of Columbus, Ohio, and Linda (David) Bryant, Cheryl (Bruce) Weaver, Brigette (Phillip) Babasola, and Michelle Wardrum; and his stepmother, Betty Edwards, all of Cleveland, Ohio. He leaves his aunt, Bonita ‘Bonnie’ Edwards. He also leaves 20 grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, distant relatives, and friends.