Obituaries

Rev. Ernest Eugene Garvin, Jr.

On May 22, 1927, the ground shook and from God’s hands to ours was born Ernest Eugene Garvin. Ernest was born to Recie and Oren Eugene in College Station, Texas. Ernest attended Ded Boonville School, Washington Elementary, E.A. Kemp, and Lincoln High School. He participated in sports and picked up the nickname “Squabbler.” He later received his barbers license and Bachelor of Theology.

Ernest began his military career by joining the Army. He was stationed at Fort Sill Oklahoma. He was deployed to Japan and Korea, where he expressed how cold it was and how he was one of the favored barbers among his command. Business oriented, the love of his community, and his innate capacity to be a father figure among those he was near, propelled him to have great success running his own business and long years of cutting hair. He worked at Texas A&M University for over 30 years painting and building lasting relationships as he did everywhere he went.

Ernest was blessed with a daughter, known to many as Linda Garvin. He cherished and took pride in the best father to her. Ernest had another love, Ruthie Mae Mayfield, of whom he met in Mineral Wells, Texas. Ernest and Ruthie were later married and loved each other for 49 years. They both displayed the true meaning of loving unconditionally through sickness and health.

God moved his Spirit to join the ministry. On July 23, 1976, he delivered his first sermon as Associate Pastor of Washington Chapel Missionary Church. Ernest was officially elected as Pastor of Washington Chapel Baptist Church in April of 1981. No one who met or ever knew Ernest forgot his infectious passion for Christ. He led the church for over 30 years. His true spirit of humility has inspired many pastors, teachers, deacons, missionaries, youth, communities, and families. He was the definition of a role model and a great mentor.

Ernest was truly blessed. He was born on May 22, 1927, and departed peacefully into eternity on May 27, 2016. He was preceded in death by his father, Oren Eugene Garvin; mother, Recie Garvin; and loving wife, Ruthie M. Garvin. He leaves to cherish his memories his daughter, Linda Reed; granddaughters, Angelique Shed, and Trenetta Cotton Gee; grandson, Jerome Delano Eugene Cotton; and a host of great-grandchildren. Their names being: Geonta, Morgan, Christopher, Demmond, Kiara, Trea, Jasolyn, and Silas.