April 26, 2010
Section: obituaries
Edition: Web Edition


OBITUARY: Luvina Erving-Collins
The Journal-Standard

Luvina Erving-Collins was "Blessed by God" to be born on June 24, 1936, to parents, Nola (Atwood) Erving and Erving Erving Sr. in Possum Neck, Miss., near West, Miss. She was one of 10 children, Tony, Lee, Otha ("Shoat"), Harry, Roxie (Price Sr.) Brooks, Mabel (Charles) Boyett, Erving Jr. (Lyda), Willie and Etha (Willie) Palmer, all deceased.

Her remaining family are her mother-in-law, Bobbie McGee-Collins-Hardison, age 98 of West, and a host of sister and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Freeport, Rockford, Milwaukee, Wis., Chicago, Aurora, Elgin and across the Unites States! "To God Be the Glory"!


After migrating north to Freeport, she was "Saved and Sanctified" at the age of 15 years and attended Evangelistic COGIC, where she loved to "Praise the Lord" through singing, testifying, shouting and dancing. She met, grew very fond of and married John E. Collins, who also had migrated north from West, unaware that he lived so close to her as a child. They were wed on March 27, 1954, recently celebrating 56 years of matrimony.


Their Holy Union produced three children, Bobbie Jean Collins of Freeport, Dennis Collins of Freemont, Calif., and Dianna (Elder Carl) Cole of Rockford; and two grandchildren, Andrew John Cole, age 27 of Rockford and Marquis John Collins, age 9, of California; as well as an "adopted daughter," Betty R. Ellis, and the entire Holy Temple COGIC Family!


After her husband was inspired to become a pastor in 1973, she wholeheartedly embraced their Pentecostal mission, Holy Temple Church Of God In Christ, which she named. The ministry began in their home at 629 Stephenson St., where she proved to be a most excellent "First Lady," cheerfully giving her time, talents and treasures to enhance her spouse's vision, singing, teaching and even fundraising through baking, cooking and selling dinners.


After many revelations and miracles of God's handiwork, they embarked on "building a church" from the ground up at the current location at 520 W. Ringold St. She served faithfully there for the duration of her life, through helping run the Holy Temple "Cash & Carry" Store until its closing, attending Regional Fellowship Services and National Conventions, even after open heart surgery and needing to use a wheelchair! Indeed, she was a true "virtuous woman" of Proverbs 31, and mother who was an excellent cook and homemaker as well as a renowned, well-loved and and respected domestic and community worker.


Her "good name" and legacy of "hospitality" remains as in Proverbs 22:1! Besides her husband, she always esteemed Bishop William Haven Bonner as her "favorite" spiritual father and leader! She will be dearly missed and never replaced in our hearts and minds! Amen!


The funeral for Luvina will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1, at Holy Temple Church of Christ. Burial will take place at Oakland Cemetery.


Visitation will be from 5 to 7 Friday, April 30, at Holy Temple Church of Christ, and also from 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of service at the church.


A memorial fund has been established in her memory.


Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her online guest book and to share memories.






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