Ervin Henry Farmer, Sr.
January 1, 1943 ~ September 28, 2025
Born in: Nash County, NC
Resided in: Rocky Mount, NC
ROCKY MOUNT – Ervin Henry Farmer, Sr., age 82, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Born in Nash County, NC on January 1, 1943, he was the son of the late Jimmie Henry Farmer and Dora Wallace Farmer. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Patricia Ann Taylor Farmer; his son, Mark Farmer; his sisters, Barbara Clark (Charles) and Joyce Bridgers (Roger); his brother-in-law, Earl Taylor; and his sisters-in law, Rachel Daughtridge and Anne Taylor.
Ervin dedicated his life to hard work, faith, and family. Over the years, he farmed, worked in pharmaceuticals, and later owned and operated his own business, Ervin’s Piping. A faithful man of God, he served Proctors Chapel Baptist Church for more than 60 years in countless ways — as a deacon, on the building and grounds committee, and wherever he was needed. Ervin also had a deep love for baseball and a passion for restoring old cars, with one of his proudest projects being a beautifully restored 1956 Cadillac. He cherished time with his family, especially at their vacation home in Pigeon Forge, where he enjoyed sitting on the porch and quietly taking in the beauty of all that God’s hands had created.
Ervin is survived by his son, Hank Farmer and wife, Robin; his daughter, Leigh Ann Farmer; his grandchildren, Taylor Farmer Lancaster and husband, Jes; Luke Farmer and wife, Kristen; and Sydney Farmer; his great-grandchildren, KaraLynn Lancaster and Jesse Lancaster; and his brother-in-law, Charles Daughtridge.
A Funeral Service to celebrate Ervin’s life will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Royce Williams officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
Flowers are welcome, memorials may be made in Ervin’s memory to a church of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Services
Funeral Service: Friday, October 3, 2025 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home
1130 N. Winstead Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC United States
27804
252-451-8800
Burial: Friday, October 3, 2025 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Boulevard
Rocky Mount, NC United States
27804
252-937-4600
Visitation: Thursday, October 2, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N Winstead Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC United States
27804
(252) 451-8800
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Janice Dickens
(Robert S. Smith, CPA)
Hank,Leigh Ann,Robin,Luke and each family member, I am so sorry for your loss…prayers sent to you all.
So very sorry to hear of your daddy’s passing. My love and prayers for you all in this tough time. Your dad (family) was always so loving and kind as we were growing up. His smile and soul always reminded me of my daddy! Good men!!! God bless you all and keep you in his loving arms always till you see him again. Love, Denise Arnold Heacox
I was saddened to learn that Ervin went home to heaven this past September. I had hoped to catch up with him, but now I will look forward to that reunion when I too go home to heaven.
Ervin may not have realized it, but he was like a father figure to me in many ways. As a young engineer at Abbott, I often bit off more than I could handle. Whenever I called him on the radio, he would faithfully show up, guide me, and show me how to do the job the right way.
I will never forget his trademark overalls, with the front pockets serving as his filing cabinets. When it came time to settle up, he would look down, rummage through those pockets, and pull out the invoice. His combination of wisdom and gentleness was unmatched in my nearly four decades of engineering. Truly, Ervin was a God-send at the times I needed help most.
I also have to share one story that still makes me smile. I once hired Ervin to lift a large piece of equipment onto a stand. He brought “Old Yellow,” the electric fork truck, to do the job. As he tried to lift, Old Yellow strained and began to tip. Ervin calmly stopped and said we needed more counterweight. He told four of us—including me—to climb onto the back and warned, “Whatever you do, don’t jump off!” With Ervin at the helm, Old Yellow barely managed it, but she got the job done.
Hank, and family, I hope you still remember me after all these years. Please know how deeply grateful I am for Ervin’s impact on my life. His memory will always remain a blessing.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Scott Wilson