Ervin Sargent

RACELAND — Ervin Sargent, 93, of Raceland, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. He passed away at home surrounded by his loving family.  He was born Oct. 11, 1918, in Haldeman, to the late John and Lucy Webb Sargent.  He was a retired self-employed contractor and former coal miner, where he served as secretary for Omar Local 5. He was a devout Christian, serving the Lord for 64 years and a member of Hoods Creek Freewill Baptist Church. He served as a teacher, Sunday school superintendent and choir director at various churches through the years. He loved having his family around him, singing gospel songs and quoting Scripture.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a beautiful baby granddaughter, Dawn Cherée Heighton. Others preceding him in death were four brothers, Clyde Sargent, Jim Sargent, Harvey Sargent and Delbert Sargent; and three sisters, Jewell Dehart, Ruby Sargent and Mary Sargent.  Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Erma Crum Sargent; two sons, Steve (Sandy) Sargent of Louisa and Robert (Vonda) Sargent of South Point, Ohio; and six daughters, Debbie (Clifford) Heighton of Raceland, Teresa (Eddie) Melvin of Flatwoods, Sherri (Steve) Smith of Greenup, Sandy (Jay) Foreman of Florence,  Marilyn (Charles) Oppenheimer of Ashland and Regena (Scott) Hesson of Barboursville, W.Va.  He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Chris, Shawn and Sheldon Heighton, Stephanie Bowman, Brooke Melvin-Kelley, Amanda Branham, Erin, Blake and Sam Enyart, Allison Sargent, Jeremy and Justin Sargent, Michael Caudill, Chanelle Sargent and Kaitlyn Hesson; 20 great-grandchildren; a brother; and six sisters.  Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, at Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods with special friend the Rev. Paul Neal and the Rev. Ron Burger officiating. Burial will be in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods, with his grandsons serving as pallbearers.  Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Nov. 9,  2011, at the funeral home.  Condolences may be sent to baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com.