Erma Jean Harvey

Erma Jean Whitmire was born to January 28, 1941 in Bellville, Texas to the parents of the late Reverend Monroe and Leona Whitmire. Erma was the fifth child of eight children. Raised in a Christian home, Erma accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.

Erma completed her education in the Houston Independent School District. She attended Booker T. Washington High School and graduated from Kashmere Gardens High School in 1959. At that time, Erma had taken piano lessons and was an emerging seamstress as she worked alongside her mother making alterations. After graduation Erma was employed at Joe Frank’s Fashions as a seamstress. She soon relocated to California where she married Robert Brown Sr. From that union two children were born: a son, Robert Allen Jr., and a daughter, Vanessa Jo Brown. Erma returned to Houston in 1964 where she was employed at Occidental Petroleum Company.

In 1970, Erma met SFC Leon Harvey and the two were united in marriage September 2, 1972. They were married 37 years until his passing in February 2010. From that union two daughters were born: Angela Marie Harvey and Jennifer Nicole Harvey. Leon and Erma were blessed and cherished their blended family. The family relocated to Fort Hood in 1974 where Erma was employed with the Department of the Army as a keypunch operator. She was employed with the Directorate of Information Management for 26 years, during which she acquired her Associated Degree in Computer Programming. She retired in 2001 as a Computer Specialist.

Erma was faithful unto God and served in the music ministry of several churched. She and the family joined Pershing Park Baptist Church in 1978 and later joined the Old Copperas Cove Mission, now known as Westside Baptist Church, and served as the pianist. She most enjoyed accompanying the choir at church and playing the piano for afternoon services at the Rosewood Nursing Home. Her musical talents inspired her daughter, Angela, and her granddaughter, Jessica, to pursue college degrees in Music Education.

Erma was exceptional in all she endeavored. She was truly a generous and loving Sister in Christ. She will be truly missed greatly by all who knew her.

Erma Jean Harvey is preceded in death by her parents, Monroe Whitmire and Leona Whitmire; her husband, Leon Harvey; two brothers, Henry Douglas Whitmire and James Lionel Whitmire; two sisters, Shirlene W. McMillan, and Hazel Lee Williams; one sister-in-law, Annette Whitmire; and two brothers-in-law, Ira Bosely and Alan Williams.

She leaves to Cherish her memories four children: Robert Brown Jr. (Karen) of Killeen; three daughters: Angela Warner (Rod) of DeSoto; Jennifer Harvey (Emmanuel) of Houston; three granddaughters; Shemika Young of Killeen, Brooke Warner of Prairie View, Jessica Young on Conroe; two grandson; Robert Brown III (Shayla) of Hutto; Derek Brown (Terra) of Hutto; six great grandchildren; Samuel, Brian, Rashaun, Benjamin, Melanie, Sarai;; three sisters; Eva Bosley, Joyce Whitmire, and Florence Bosley of Houston; and an abundance of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, Pershing Park Baptist and West Baptist Church families.

A visitation for Erma will be held Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Westside Baptist Church, 711 Stagecoach Rd, Killeen, Texas, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com for the Harvey family.