Ervin Petty was born December 19, 1939 in West Point, Mississippi to the union of John H. Petty Sr. & Beatrice Jefferson Petty. Ervin was the second child born to their union. He transitioned from time to eternity on April 10, 2014.

After the family relocated to Chicago, Ervin professed his faith in God at St. Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church. He later converted to the Catholic faith.

He was educated in the Chicago Public School system and graduated from Dunbar Vocational High School. Ervin took some college courses before serving two years in the Army in Germany.

Beginning with a shoeshine box, Ervin had a strong work ethic at an early age. He worked while in High School and eventually managed three different grocery/liquor stores in his lifetime before retiring in 1999.

His oldest daughter Jacquelyn Denise was born in January, 1959. He was introduced to his lifelong partner Rosie in 1960. After dating for five years the two were united in holy matrimony on Dec 5, 1965. From their union their daughter Deidra Marie was born in June, 1967.

An avid lover of sports, Ervin supported all the Chicago sports teams - win or lose. His hobbies included gardening, bicycling, bowling, softball, chess, gourmet cooking, and playing cards. If you ever wanted to find him, he could be found in one of two places, his yard or his basement with Jazz or Blues playing in the background. He was affectionately known as Pops, Unc, the Professor, Granddaddy, & Papa. He was also known to be a great storyteller and a walking adding machine.

Ervin was a devoted family man, not only to his immediate family but to his neighbors and friends. He was instrumental in forming a neighborhood street patrol and was a member of South Shore Gardens Betterment Association. He was a community activist participating in the Occupy Wall Street march in the Loop and picketing to prevent the opening of a pawn shop in his community.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest brother, John H. Jr. Ervin leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Rosie; two daughters, Jacquelyn (Compton) Barnes & Deidra (Antonio) Puller; Five grandchildren, Angelina (Michael) Smith , Naurice (Troy) Walker, Ervin Smith, Vanessa Neal, & Brandon Puller; 13 great-grandchildren; his Aunt, Arletha Green; seven sisters, Amy Catherine Petty, Annie Ruth Shipp, Essie Belle Bogan, Lou Ester Petty, Diane Petty, Sandra Petty, and Shellie (James) Steele; one brother, Andrew (Marlene) Petty, his sisters-in-love, Bessie Petty, Evelyn Green, Francis (Ernest, Sr.) Hopson, and Doris Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, & friends.