ETRULA MARSH ERWIN was born Jan. 21, 1951, in Wadesboro, North Carolina, and departed her life on Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Erwin is the daughter of the late Lonnie and Dora Ratliff Marsh.

She attended Winchester Elementary School in Monroe, North Carolina and Edwards Elementary School in Chesterfield, South Carolina and graduated from Laurinburg Institute (high school) in Laurinburg, North Carolina. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in tory from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, and a master’s degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

Erwin was an educator in North Carolina and South Carolina for over 35 years. She taught middle and high school in Lenior, Monroe and Wadesboro, N.C. She served as an assistant principal at Anson Middle School and principal at Morven Elementary School. She had a passion for teaching and later returned to the classroom and taught history at Chesterfield/Ruby Middle School, New Heights Middle School and Central High School, all in the Chesterfield County School District.

Erwin joined West Deep Creek Baptist Church, a church where her grandfather donated the land and served as one of the early ministers, at an early age.

After college and during her early career, she returned home to care for her mother. She has been a good and faithful active member serving on the following committees: Sunday School Committee; Co-Chairperson Youth Missionary and the Black History Program; Audio- Visual Committee; Music Committee Ministry; Senior Choir, President; By-Laws Committee Chairperson; Founder’s Day Committee Chairperson; 150th Anniversary Committee, Co- Chairperson; Adult Sunday School Teacher; Vacation Bible School Teacher; Senior Citizen group; Kitchen Committee; Adult Missionary Circle and Father’s Day Program, Chairperson.

She also serves as the treasurer and past secretary for the Pilgrim Chapter #244 Order of the Eastern Star, following the footsteps of her mother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Edward Erwin.

She leaves to cherish her son, Jarius Erwin, Wadesboro, NC; extended family, Rochelle “Tiger” (Clinton) Lewis, Charlotte, NC, and Lord Edward Lonnie Marsh,Charlotte, NC; one sister, Lonnette Marsh, High Point, NC; sisters-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Betty Erwin and Johnnie Erwin both of Charlotte, NC; brother-in-law, Jesse (Betty) Erwin, Charlotte, NC; grandchildren: Aubri Erwin, Skylar Erwin and Quantel Erwin of Wadesboro, NC; (relationship) Johnathan Lewis, Charlotte, NC; three aunts, Rosa Lee Robinson, Charlotte, NC, Dorothy "Cookie" Marsh, Greensboro, NC and Delphian Marsh, Charlotte, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones.

Erwin has taken her place at the great classroom in the heavens were she is teaching Black history, a subject she loved.

The Services to Honor the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Erwin will be on Saturday, December 18, 2021, 2:30pm, West Deep Creek Baptist Church, Wadesboro, North Carolina. Interment will follow in the family plot of the church cemetery.

The Family will greet family and friends on Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 2:00-2:30pm at West Deep Creek Baptist Church.

The public viewing for Mrs. Erwin will be on Friday, December 17, 2021 from 3:15-6:00pm at Smith's Funeral Home, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina.

The family request that Face Mask/Coverings be worn and social distancing practiced.