Erma Jean Gantt

Erma Jean Gantt was born to Ellis and Ellen Norfor in Phoenix, Arizona on July 22, 1946. She attended Percy L. Julian Elementary School and graduated from South Mountain High School in 1964. After graduating, she attended community college and took classes in education. Along with her mother and sister, they opened a daycare at the family home on Wier Street.

While living in Phoenix, Erma was employed by Western Electric up until getting married and relocating to Tucson. After her relocation, she worked at a daycare center and later worked as a teacher's aide at Mission Manor Elementary School. She retired from Mission Manor soon after the birth of her first grandson in 1997.

She was baptized in Jesus' name and filled with the Holy Ghost in the 1950s at First Pentecostal Church under the leadership of the late Bishop A.C. Eddings. While serving at First Pentecostal, Erma and her sister sang as The Norfor Sisters. She was also a well-renowned choir director and founded the Mountain States Council Mass Choir in 1966.

Under her tutelage, in conjunction with the youth of First Pentecostal, the Mountain States Council Mass Choir released a self-titled album in 1967. On July 7, 1972, in Yuma, Arizona, Erma married the love of her life, Marshall Lee Gantt Sr. After marrying Marshall and moving to Tucson, Erma pursued her passions in ushering and teaching Sunday School while still directing the choir. She served faithfully as an usher for the Mountain States Council. While teaching Sunday School, Erma gained a reputation as a top-tier teacher. She left an immense impact on many of her former students, who credit her love and compassion towards them as being a vital part of their later successes. Her students in her Sunday School and elementary school classes often recall her many acts of generosity. In 2004, she assumed the role of First Lady of Bethel Temple Apostolic Church. Erma was preceded in death by her mother, father, and husband. She leaves to cherish her memory her sister Lorraine (Arthur), children Marshall II (Latisha) of AZ, Kevin Ellis (Viola) of VA, Desmond of AZ, step-children Michael (Victoria), Jacquline Phillips, Anthony (Betty), and Stephanie Long (Charles) of NV, one goddaughter Leandra Lucas of Az, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends whom she loved.