Derue Erwin's Obituary
Life Reflections of Derue Erwin “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare at place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” John 14: 2-3. Derue Erwin was born October 8, 1927 in Golden, Texas to the union of Cornelius and Cosette (Mayfield) Sims. She was the only child to this union. She grew up in Golden, Texas with her cousin Thelma Webb under the guidance and care of their grandmother, Martha Adams Mayfield while their parents worked in Dallas, Texas. Derue Erwin was educated at Southward High School in Mineola, Texas, and graduated from Madam C.J. Walker School of Hair Dressers in Dallas, Texas. Derue united in holy matrimony to the late Charles Edward Erwin on January 23, 1943. From this union, four children were born: Edward, Kenneth, Gloria, and Charlotte Erwin. She was a devoted mother, and gave her all, and she also raised two granddaughters, Sydney Katherine Erwin and Stacey Cosette Erwin. Derue worked as a beautician in Hamilton Park before she went to work for Texas Instruments in Richardson, Texas in 1968. She retired from Texas Instruments after more than 20 years of service; although she maintained her own beauty shop, and dressed hair until 2008. She accepted and obeyed the gospel of Christ, and was baptized in 1952 under the leadership of R.B. Thurman at East Dallas Church of Christ. In 1959, she moved to Hamilton Park, and was one of the charter members of the then Hamilton Park Church of Christ, now known as Greenville Ave. Church of Christ. She also attended Eastside Church of Christ in Garland from 1980 to 1982. Sis. Derue Erwin was a dedicated and faithfully active member at Hamilton Park and Eastside churches of Christ. When Hamilton Park Church of Christ decided to move and build in Richardson, Texas, Sis. Derue Erwin made a spiritual and financial commitment to ensure the church was successful in that endeavor. Her faithfulness to Christ, and growing the church included teaching the “Open Bible Study”, ladies bible classes, and other personal evangelistic works of the church, and to the extent that she was recognized for having more guests than anyone to attend Hamilton Park Church of Christ’s annual gospel meeting in 1972. She was one of the many speakers on numerous occasions at the annual ladies retreats of Greenville Ave. Church of Christ. She maintained a well-stocked library of bibles, and books on Christ, His Church, and Christian living and being Godly, which she lived by. She mentored many young married couples, singles, and young mothers. She was a great cook, and was charged with running the kitchen and preparing the menu and food for annual homecomings, and Thanksgiving Dinner at Greenville Ave. Church of Christ. Additionally, Sis. Derue Erwin participated in the chorus, and was noted as lead vocalist in the gospel song titled “Calvary”. Sis. Derue Erwin was also an active member of the Young At Heart of Greenville Ave. Church of Christ. She loved the Lord and His church, and her greatest desire was to lead all her family, friends, and acquaintances including strangers to Christ. She was known for entertaining strangers, and opening her home to many families of the church that needed a place to live. Sis. Derue Erwin remained faithful to Christ until her death. Derue Erwin went from labor to reward Wednesday, January 20, 2016. She is preceded in death by her father, Cornelius Sims; mother, Cosette Mayfield; husband, Charles Edward Erwin; and her cousin Thelma Webb. She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her children: Edward Earl Erwin, Kenneth Ray (Barbara) Erwin, Gloria Jean (George) Walker, and Charlotte Cosette (Freddie)Brigham; seven grandchildren: Sydney Katherine Granger, Stacey Cosette (Bo) Porter, Terrance Clayton, Lauren Ashely (Marcus) Ford, Jordan Tyler Walker, Megan Michelle Brigham, Morgan Mishon Brigham; six great-grandchildren: Kalieb Edward Granger, Tayah Nicole Granger, Terrance Clayton, Jr., Jerrell Clayton, Shyia Clayton, and Bryce Jordan Porter. Additionally, she leaves her first cousins: Martha Day, Linda Ruth Davenport, Charles Wayne Adams, Betty Woolsey, and George Jackson and their families, and special nephew, Thomas Jefferson, and a host of other relatives, church family, and lifelong friends especially Sis. Lois Phillips. Family will receive friends from 600-8:00 pm on Friday, January 29, 2016 at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral Services will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Greenville Avenue Church of Christ. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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