Ervin Rhynes, Jr.

Life’s Portrait

Ervin was born on May 5, 1945 in Durant, Mississippi, to Ervin Rhynes Sr. and Myrice Harris.  His grandmother, Clara Walker Harris, meant the world to him. He lived with her until moving to Kansas City to join his mother his sophomore year in 1960.

Ervin became a proud graduate of Sumner High School in 1963. While in school, Ervin worked at Bretton’s restaurant as a busser, working two shifts per day.

In 1968, he went to work for Trans World Airlines. While carpooling with other coworkers, he hit the “lottery” by meeting his future wife, Cecelia Fortune. He would always joke that, as they got to know each other and started dating, she moved from the back seat to the front seat. They were married October 25, 1969. From this union, two children were born Damon and Danielle, which, including Delbert, made the three D’s. 

In March of 1969, he started working for Bendix Corp. Then in 1973, he was hired as a machinist at Santa Fe Railroad. He stayed there until his retirement in 2006. Ervin enjoyed his job and was proud to be an engineer and provider for his family.

Ervin accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age. He was brought up as Church of God in Christ by his grandmother in Mississippi. His grandmother was a prayer warrior. She had him protected by her intercessory prayer from birth.

Ervin was a loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He is preceded in death by his lovely soulmate Cecelia Kay, his mother Myrice Harris, his loving grandmother Clara Walker Harris, two sisters Bobby Ann Bonner and Norma J. Robinson (transitioned Aug 30, 2015)

He leaves to cherish his memories his children, Delbert (Monique) Rhynes; Damon (Ingrid) Rhynes; and Danielle (Jermaine) Butler, Savannah, GA. He will be sadly missed by his mother-in-law, Voltie Nelson; sisters in law, Cynthia Lacy and Carol (Oscar) Coleman, Shreveport, LA; brothers in law, Renee Fortune (Joyce); Darrell Fortune (Melanie), Wisconsin. He was a devoted “Paw Paw” to seven grandchildren, Lynniece Bailey; Daijah Monet; Delbert, II (Deuce) Anneliese; Damon, Jr. (Bam DJ) Roman; and Janelle Butler. He was a special uncle to Shannon Williams (James), Douglasville, GA; Jerome Toombs (Wykita), Milpitas, CA; Christen Lacy; Charles Lacy; James E. Bonner, Atlanta, Ga; and Roslyn D. Mitchell (Marlon), Overland Park, KS. He leaves four special cousins he grew up with George Harris (Diane), Overland Park, KS; Clara Mae Roberson, Durant, MS; Sylvia V. Walker, Milwaukee, WI; and Clara Jean Bowers, Chicago, IL. He will also be dearly missed by special friends Gary Bruce; Wayne Turner; James Jackson and a host of other relatives and friends.

We will miss you terribly, and most of all we miss your loud and blunt humor. We will cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you. We are richer because you were in our lives!

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