John Griffin Ervin, age 85, passed away September 6, at Brandon Community Care Center in Brandon, MS.

He was born on June 27, 1941, in Cleveland, MS to Paul and Elsie Ervin. He was raised by 3 of his father's siblings: his aunts Annie and Cora, and his uncle Frank.

John attended primary and secondary schooling in Cleveland, MS graduating with the class of 1959. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Delta State University, also in Cleveland, MS, graduating with the class of 1966.

He began his career with the Internal Revenue Service in June of 1966 at the Clarksdale, MS branch where he worked until December of 1976. He was then transferred to the Jackson, MS branch where he retired in 1999. He received numerous awards for his work and was well respected by his colleagues.

John was blessed with two great loves in his lifetime. At just 19 years old, he married his high school sweetheart, 16-year-old Jetti Ruth Daves, in December 1960. Together, they shared 45 years of marriage and raised three children. Later in life, John found love again. In February 2014, at the age of 71, he married Barbara Anne Blough. Together, they enjoyed dancing, traveling, spending time with their families, and simply caring for one another.

He was a member of Meadow Grove Baptist Church alongside his wife Barbara.

He was also a member of the Crossgates Exchange Club for 50 years, where he served as Treasurer. He liked to golf, travel, and watch his Ole Miss Rebels play football. He also enjoyed following the stock market and keeping up with his investments.

John was genuinely a nice man. He left a mark on those fortunate to know him. He was not one to talk about himself, but being around him you knew that he was a loyal husband, father, and friend. He also had that charming Ervin quality about him. He loved nothing more than to laugh, have fun, and share joyful moments with those he loved most. His presence will be profoundly missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

John is preceded in death by his first wife, Jetti Daves Ervin; father, Paul Newton Ervin; mother, Elsie Matthews Ervin, his two aunts and uncle, Annie Ervin, Cora Ervin, and Frank Ervin; 2 brothers, Paul Logan and Mike; 3 sisters, Elsie Ann Bock, Gayle Larkin, and Martha Lee Dowdy; cousin Fred Ervin, who was like his brother; step-grandson Kaden Scott Archer.

He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Blough Ervin; daughters Angie Oswalt and husband Paul, Daphne Mundt and husband Eugene; son John Griffin Ervin, Jr. and wife Mindy; brother Kenneth Ervin; step-daughter Gina Blough Archer and husband Bradley; 4 grandchildren Daniel Owen Bailey and wife Martha Margaret, April Louise Bailey, Alexandria Leigh Mundt, and Payson Journey Hunt; 3 great-grandsons Owen Daniel Bailey, Oakley Drake Bailey, and Kendall Caden Cole; 4 step-granddaughters Aubrey Oswalt McDaniel and husband Braden, Kelsea Mills and husband Garrett, Kari Mixon and husband Dima, and Kensley Archer; step-great-grandson, Henry Reed McDaniel; 2 step-great-granddaughters Elliott Rose Mills and Esther Louise Mixon; many nieces, nephews, and great nieces, nephews.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., with services starting at 1:00 P.M. at Ott & Lee Funeral Home, 1360 West Government Street, Brandon, MS 39042 on Saturday, September 12. Burial will follow at Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery, 759 US-51, Madison, MS 39110.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meadow Grove Baptist Church, 3221 Louis Wilson Dr. Brandon, MS 39042.