John Arthur “Bay” Erves

Published 9:41 am Thursday, February 4, 2016

John Arthur “Bay” Erves died Jan. 23, 2016, at St. Johns Medical Center in Detroit.

Mr. Erves was born June 23, 1953, in Vicksburg to Malissie Pearson-Erves and the late Rev. Willie Erves, Sr. His paternal grandparents were the late John Erves and Polly Williams-Erves. His maternal grandparents were the late Arthur Pearson and Cleopatra Coates-Pearson.

He was a member of New Hope M.B. Church and later joined a church in Detroit. He received a scholarship to Mississippi Valley State University, but chose to enter the workforce in Detroit, and retired as a production Supervisor for the Cadillac Division of General Motors Plant after 35 years of service.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Adams Erves; stepdaughter, Montoya Essence Adams; mother, Malissie Pearson-Erves; three brothers, Willie Erves Jr. of Vicksburg, Jimmy Erves of Huntsville, Ala., and Enoch Erves of Ridgeland; 11 sisters, Williene Erves-Wilson of Atlanta, Cynthia Erves- Price, Mary Erves-Lacey and Cleopatra Erves, all of Vicksburg, Eleanor Erves-White of Camden,  Janie Erves-Brown of Jackson, Lois Erves-Gaines, Jeannie Erves-Burrs, and Dorothy Erves, all of Mesquite, Texas, Fredonia Erves-Wilder of Lansing, Ill., and Arlene Erves-Williams of Chicago; 25 nieces and nephews and 11 great-nieces and nephews; two aunts; two uncles; and other relatives and friends;11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren of Detroit.

A home going celebration will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at Mount Pisgah M. B. Church in the Bovina Community with the Rev. Elzie O’Neal officiating. Burial will be at Hickory Tree Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home in Vicksburg.