Barbara Jean Ervin

Barbara Jean Ervin was born on March 20, 1952 in Indianapolis, Indiana to William Henry Ervin and Jessina Eloise Proctor Ervin and was the youngest of their four children. Barbara Jean attended IPS #43, Westlane Middle School and graduated from North Central High School in 1970.

Barbara Jean had a love for art and received her associate’s degree from Tallahassee Community College in Arts in 1973 and her bachelor’s degree in interior decorating from Florida State University in 1975. After watching her sister and mother enjoy their summer vacation as educators, Barbara Jean decided to pursue her master’s degree in art education and graduated from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in 1980. Barbara Jean went on to serve the students and families of Indianapolis Public Schools for 38 years as an art teacher at multiple schools within the district, with her last school being William Penn #49. Barbara Jean retired from Indianapolis Public Schools in June 2018. In addition to teaching art to elementary students, Barbara Jean served as an associate professor at Martin University where she taught water color and beginning drawing courses to undergraduate students.

Barbara Jean accepted Christ at an early age and began to pursue God heavily in young adulthood. After leaving her childhood church, Bethel AME, she attended many churches until God led her to New Zion Community Church. It was there that she served as a member of the choir, was a part of the ministerial staff, and dedicated time to various ministries within the church. She also stayed connected to Bethel AME where she would often visit for Sunday services and joined the daily prayer line with her sister, Carole.

Barbara Jean was known for her beautiful singing voice, words of encouragement, knowledge of and faith in God’s Word, and powerful prayers. Even in her darkest days, Barbara Jean kept a praise for God on her lips and was well established in her identity in Him. Barbara Jean was a faithful servant of Christ and was an exemplar of unshakeable faith and discipleship.

Barbara Jean lost her courageous battle with cancer on January 19, 2026. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her sister, Carole Ervin-Brown; brother, Harold Ervin; forever sister-in-love Linda Ervin; niece, Renee Carter (Michael Carter Jr.) and a host of family and friends. While we deeply mourn the loss of our beloved Barbara Jean, we are comforted by her final words of “I am healed!”.

A Memorial Service will be held for Barbara on Saturday, January 31st, at 1:00PM at New Zion Community Church 955 Oliver Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46221.