ERVIE LEE HARRISON

Mr. Ervie Lee Harrison Sr. also known as “Unc,” of San Antonio, TX passed away Friday, May 19, 2023, at the age of ninety. He was born May 31, 1932, in Noxapater, Mississippi,  and the only child of Annie King and JD Friday. Ervie spent his early childhood years in Laurel, Mississippi where he lived with his grandparents Charlie and Lena Harrison. He attended Nora Davis Elementary School and Old Park High School in Laurel, MS. At the age of sixteen, he moved to Hondo, TX where he completed school at Honda High School. After graduation, he returned to Laurel to live with his grandfather on the family farm. During the summer of  1950, he met Velma Moore who was on a summer trip to Laurel to visit her cousin and after a brief romance, they married two months later. After marriage, they moved to Mobile, AL where they resided until 1955, and relocated and established their lifelong home in San Antonio, TX. Ervie and Velma were married for 56 years and during their union of marriage six children were born. Velma predeceased Ervie in 2007. Ervie was a devout Catholic-affiliated with the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and a Knight of the  Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

After relocating with his family to San Antonio, Ervie began employment with Texas Pharmaceutical Company (TPC) which later became Alcorn Cosmetics where he remained for 38 years. During his employment at TPC, he was promoted five times. His promotions netted him several awards of recognition from his various positions which included Custodian, Buyer, Purchasing Agent, Sales, and Packaging Manager. He was the first African American Salesman for Texas Pharmaceutical. Ervie retired from TPC in 1992. Ervie’s jovial spirit and insightfulness also led him into TV and radio in San Antonio. He worked part-time as one of San Antonio’s first African American DJs and TV personalities to host the first Black TV show in the city with Albert “Scratch” Phillips called (Scratch and Unc) on station KCOR. Ervie was also an entrepreneur who owned and operated a landscaping business following his retirement from TPC and serviced clients throughout the Windcrest community. He continued to operate his landscaping business part-time until 2019. His landscaping business created many lifelong friendships due to his sense of humor, wisdom, and inspiration.

Ervie was a joyful and lively scholar bringing laughs along the way to anyone he encountered. Through his comic charisma, he shared his years of knowledge and life lessons with those who were willing to listen. He was a legend who was appreciated and loved for the years of historical facts and wisdom he shared. He lived to see many first events for nine decades and often said, “I’ve been to the mountaintop!”

Mr. Ervie Lee Harrison Sr, 1932 – 2023, is preceded by his wife, Velma, his parents Annie King and JD Friday, and his grandson Bryan Harrison. He is survived by his children, Ervie Jr (Gloria), Michael (Carol), Linda Lewis (Larry), Aaron (Evelyn), Brenda Wakefield (Brian), and Larry (Phillis), fifteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends, as well as Virginia Hartfield (special friend), and Angela Kelley (caretaker).

His motto: “Never forget who you are, where you come from, and who helped you get there.”

Ervie Lee Harrison, Sr. was loved by his family and friends. His smile, singing, storytelling, laughter, and wisdom will be missed. We will always cherish his memories.

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” 

Maya Angelou

Rest in heavenly peace!

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church building fund, 1819 Nevada Street, San Antonio, Texas 78203

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