A Beautiful Legacy

JoAnn was born to Doretha and Leo Renfro on January 27, 1944.

She accepted Christ at a very young age while attending Antioch Baptist church in Call, Texas.  Her baptism was a little unconventional by today's standards but back then, her being dipped in Cow Creek was the norm.

Her love for Christ increased with time.  She didn't just talk the talk, but she walked the walk and eagerly shared her faith freely whenever she could.  A servant at heart, she taught Bible and Sunday school, served as church secretary, directed the church choir, often led her prayer group, and sang with the Love Fellowship choir.  We must mention how she ensured each Christmas we received those brown paper bags filled with oranges, apples, candy, and nuts.

One of her first jobs was at the Dinner Bell café where she was able to fine-tune her culinary skills, even though she wasn't allowed to use the front door to enter her place of employment. She later joined the cafeteria team at Kirbyville High school, where she graduated, and eventually retired after 28 years of service as the Manager.

She particularly had a heart for children and the elderly.  Her passion for children guided her to become a foster parent to over 50 children over a span of 30 years.  Many of them became permanent members of the Ervine tribe.  The Mayor of Houston declared January 27, 2019, the JoAnn Ervine Day for her loyal committed service to the foster care community.   She often served as a private caregiver for the elderly.  Those shut-in would often be graced with a plate of her southern cooking and heartwarming cheer.

She absolutely loved to garden and enjoyed talking about all the gardening techniques she had learned from recently viewed You-Tube Videos.  Her Grandmother Minnie's love for fishing was passed on to her.  She enjoyed fishing so much that her son saw fit to have a fishing pond built in her backyard so she could do all the fishing she wanted.  But what some of you may not know is she was an avid Facebooker and often interacted using her Granddaughter Taja's account.  However, what you ALL know is she was by far the most amazing cook on this side of heaven.

Her memories will be cherished by her Husband, Charles J. Sinegar; son, Joe Ervine Jr. Aka Superman (Niquita); daughters, Loretta Diggles (Ricky),Shelia Limbrick (Eric), Doretha Fowler, Margaret Brim (Chad), Delores Senegal (Lajanara), Laquiesha Duncan (Jalen), Brittnie Sinegar-Willis (Jerrell), Marcus Sinegar, Travis Sinegar (Shantasia), Edrick Bland, Joaquin Pugh, Willie Pugh, Dominique Ervine , Preston Ervine, Micheal Ervine, Qudarius Ervine (Dajah), Burman Ervine, and her siblings Vanora Joseph, Donna Knox, Candyce Harris, and Willie Gregory.

JoAnn's love and legacy were treasured by so many other children, grand and great-grandchildren, family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. She will truly be missed.