Lorene Ervin

Lorene Ervin a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed from this life into the next on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at home surrounded by her children.

Her husband, Henry L. Ervin, preceded her in death in 2003. She is survived by her children; Ronald L. Ervin, Valerie Ervin, Alan Ervin, Pamela Ervin and Yvette Ervin and her beloved dog Pixie. She was grandmother to 9 grandchildren, and great grandmother to 14 great grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters; Helen Biggers of Denver, Colorado, Lee Jowers of Denver, Colorado, and Betty Sanders of Roswell, New Mexico.

Lorene Ervin was born in 1937 in Mangum, Oklahoma to Effie Lee and Rev. E.L. Henderson. She grew up in a large family and was one of 11 children. The family migrated to New Mexico when Lorene was young and settled in Artesia, New Mexico where Lorene graduated from high school. She was a high school athlete and excelled in basketball at Artesia High School, the home of the Bulldogs!

Lorene met Henry while he was stationed at Walker A.F.B. in Roswell, New Mexico. They married in 1955 and were married for 48 years until Henry's passing. Lorene's life changed immediately after her marriage to my Henry. He was called to duty and had to report to Anderson AFB on the island of Guam ahead of Lorene. She traveled to Guam alone with her infant son, Ronnie while pregnant with Valerie. She was driven to a train station in Vaughn, NM where she boarded a train to California and then embarked on a journey by ship to Guam. Henry would be stationed at several other calls of duty, from South Dakota to the Panama Canal Zone, back to New Mexico and also a tour of duty in Viet Nam as well. During those days Lorene proved herself to be smart, tough and resilient as she managed to move with five children on her own and settle in to new places where she made lifelong friends.

She made friends easily and picked up new hobbies like ceramics and became an avid and competitive bowler winning many trophies and awards. She also loved to crochet and work in her garden and go fishing.

Upon Henry's final tour of duty to Kirtland, AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lorene got a position checking groceries at Safeway Stores, Inc. Lorene began her Safeway career in Roswell, NM where she and her children lived while Henry was in Viet Nam. She became a very well -known activist in the union that represented Safeway employees. She worked her way up the ladder in the company and was a highly respected trainer for new employees and was also responsible district-wide for merchandising and ordering non-pharmacy drug items in Safeway Stores. She retired after 20 years. She didn't stop there though, she decided to pursue a position at French's Mortuary in 2004. She loved being able to support grieving families and was very proud of that work, especially driving the hearse.

Throughout Lorene's life she was very much a profound Christian who was active in her church, New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church in Albuquerque. She was brought up in the church, her father, Rev. E.L. Henderson preached the gospel, for a time she also belonged to the Church of Christ and loved singing acapella with her sisters. Her love of God was a constant thread throughout her life and she made sure that her children understood the power of prayer and the grace that comes from serving a living God.

The Ervin family would like to thank French's Mortuary for their kind and loving support and tender care with our beloved and for their steadfast support of our family during these difficult days.

We would also like to request in lieu of flowers that donations be made to New Hope Full Gospel Church for their missionary work abroad. Donations can be made at this link here: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZCXJ/home

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."