This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Reverend Harold Erving, 99, born on April 29, 1917 and passed away on November 11, 2016. We will remember him forever.
Eulogy by Audrey Farley (daughter)
Harold Emmanuel Erving died at the age of 99 years old. He was born on the 29th April 1917 to parents, George Erving and Hannah Stephenson in Jamaica. He is survived by sisters and brother - Constance, Violet, Venel and Vincent; his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren as well as other members of the family.
Young Harold attended New Roads School, in Westmoreland, in his early years and teen years, Tales of his independence and leadership qualities were emergng then. Therefore, it is not surprising that at an early age he became restless, nurturing the desire to live in the town, not the 'New Roads' country where he was born. Even though he would miss family, he wanted to experience the seaport town of Savanna-La-Mar.
So in the 1930's he did go to live in Sav-La-Mar, in Westmoreland. There he might his future wife, Myrtle Scott soon after. As far back as then, he became God fearing and, serving God was never far from his mind. He soon became a member of the Sav-La-Mar Apostolic church in the town. He showed a passion for the Lord which lasted throughout his life.
When 'Mas Harold,' proposed to Miss Myrtle she was already a confirmed Christian. So was happy when he too gave himself to the Lord. The young couple became proud parents of eight children - Joyce, Violet, Leslie, Leonard, Audrey, Hortense, the late Livingstone and Hyacinth. Then followed the grandchildren - Leroy, Dean and Margaret; Andrea, Joseph, Michael, Norman, Maria and Gary; Paul; Susan & Wayne; Richard & Sheldon. His great grandchildren, both here and abroad are too many to list. Suffice to say he was blessed with many. And, even held his newly-born great grandchild Amelia on his 99th birthday.
The 1950's found young Harold working as an entrepreneur in Jamaica. He would buy and sell haberdashery, to both tourists and locals to help to support his family. He was creative too making a range of objects of art from natural turtle shells. He would heat then sculpt the shells into a variety of objects, such as brooches or spectacle frames. He produced highly-crafted, polished pieces that were snapped up by tourists and members of the community alike.
It was at this time too that he worked for the Sugar Industry at the Wharf near the Fort in Save-La-Mar, just a diversion here: maybe it was working by the sea that made him so healthy & energetic. Back then he exuded such strength and used to walk so fast, you'd need some 'Nutrament' to catch up with him!!!
A well presented man, he was particularly choosy about his clothes and always smart in appearance. He was especially neat and tidy. A disciplinarian he was too, the family would know about rules that were broken! He was old school, as the saying goes. One of Brother Erving's favourite pastimes was playing the harmonica, his repertoire included a wide range of gospel songs. The family would listen to them and sing along to them in harmony, well...sing along! His musical side also extended to playing the organ, the hymns and gospel songs often from memory. One of his favourite songs was Time's clock is striking the hour.
In the 1960's he came to England, as many did, after the war, to help to support his family back in Jamaica. He lived, at that time, in Wolverhampton with the Williams' - his caring sister and her husband (may they RIP). Over the years, the family bond remains as strong as the Christian bond. Later on, Brother Erving came to Nottingham, where he had family members on his wife's side and, of course, the Dillons. His independence was paramount to him and preferred to live on his own, He found employment at the Barton Transport Company until he retired.