Her grown children, Rosa Ervin Adams and Jakay Ervin Jr., stood nearby waiting on an insurance adjuster and greeting well-wishers.

“Everybody got out OK,” Ervin Adams said to a friend who had called her.

The family business, Ervin’s Beauty Services on Patterson Avenue, had been in place since 1976 when Minnie and Jakay Sr. converted by hand an old gas station into a community icon — a thriving beauty-supply business/hair salon where generations of women, including the late Dr. Maya Angelou and longtime Councilwoman Vivian Burke, came to have their hair done.

The business had been gutted by fire; it was an economic setback and a devastating loss.

But within minutes of listening to Minnie Ervin speak, it became apparent that the story of Ervin’s Beauty Services is much deeper than structure fire. It’s really a love story about the life Minnie and Jakay Ervin shared for 65 years.

“He drew up the plans himself and built a lot of it with his own two hands,” Minnie Ervin said. “He’s worth talking about. I love talking about him.”

A true family business

To understand fully the story of Ervin’s Beauty Services, it’s necessary to know something about Minnie and Jakay Ervin Sr.

They met when Jakay was a student at Winston-Salem Teachers College. Minnie Ervin was riding on a homecoming float; she was Miss Lemay Beauty College. “He told a friend, ‘I have to meet her,’” Minnie Ervin said.

And he did.

Jakay Ervin Sr. was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serving during the Korean War era. He’d dropped out of high school, got drafted and badly hurt his knee when a Jeep flipped over during training. The injury prevented him from being sent to Korea.

That military experience, as it can, sharpened a young man’s focus. So he went back to high school as soon as he mustered out. After that, it was on to Winston-Salem State — while working a fulltime job at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco — for his bachelor’s in 1958 and N.C. A&T State University for graduate school.

He and Minnie married in 1955; Jakay Ervin Sr. settled into a job with the U.S. Postal Service and Minnie Ervin worked as a hairdresser. A family followed.

Opportunity knocked in the mid-’70s when that old gas station on Patterson Avenue went up for sale, and the Ervins answered it together — all four of them.

“I laid that brick up there,” said Jakay Ervin Jr., pointing to the foundation just visible behind a pile of burned, wet pink insulation.

Ervin Adams wasn’t exempt, either. She was expected to do her share.

“It was more than growing up there,” said Ervin Adams. “Daddy believed in hard work. I helped tear up the old flooring. I was old enough to know that maybe I should have run off to grandma’s house.”

Ervin Adams was joking, of course. But she and her brother learned the value of an honest day’s work and trusting their faith. They got that by watching the partnership burgeon between their parents.

“I love (the business),” Minnie Ervin said while watching firefighters put away their gear. “I love people. I’ve loved coming to work for more than 50 years.”

Long, difficult year

Minnie Ervin was on her way to the shop about 8:30 a.m. when she learned that the building was burning.

An employee had been working with an early-bird customer when they heard a loud pop and smelled smoke — a telltale sign of an electrical short. The fire likely started in or near the salon; the Ervins had closed the beauty-supply end of the business a few years back.

It burned fast, and required several trucks and more than a dozen firefighters to knock down.

“We were getting ready to remodel and lease part of the building,” Minnie Ervin said.

It’s been a long, difficult year for the Ervin family. COVID-19 restrictions took a bite out of the business. That hurt, but it was a mere annoyance compared to the loss of Jakay Ervin Sr. who died on New Year’s Day.

He was 89 and had enjoyed a full, rich and love-filled life. He was a proud Marine, featured in a 2019 story about local veterans, and a talented carpenter. “He built part of our house,” Minnie Ervin said. “We have a cathedral ceiling and he hung that first beam by himself.”

Wednesday’s fire destroyed photographs and irreplaceable keepsakes. The loss was as profound as it was unexpected.

It’s not easy to speak clearly in the immediate aftermath of such a physical tragedy. Onlookers and a small stream of friends and acquaintances drifted by as the news spread.

But the Ervins handled it all with grace. They haven’t decided yet whether to rebuild; it’s far too early to make that decision.

They were thankful that no one was hurt, and Minnie Ervin grateful for a temporary distraction of talking about her husband.

“It has been a hard year,” she said. “He was such an awesome man. So talented and so smart.”

A building burned Wednesday morning. But the fire, bad as it was, could not destroy the story of the people who’d built it.

His awards include: Three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon, two Humanitarian Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Letter of Appreciation and Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award). A GoFundMefundraising campaign has been launched for his widow Andrea and their two children.

Marine Capt. Sean Elliott, 30, was the KC-130T co-pilot during Monday’s crash, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. As a young boy, Elliott cherished a model of a C-130 transport aircraft and dreamed of flying planes when he grew up. He was selected for Marine Corps Officers Candidate School in 2008 eventually earned his callsign “Puffin” because he refused to hunt the birds one time when he was in Iceland. “Sean got all upset. Red-faced,” his father, John, told the newspaper. “So the Marines didn’t know whether to name him ‘Steamer’ or ‘Puffin’ because he got so steamed up about saving puffins. Well, ‘Puffin’ stuck.”

Sgt. Joseph Murray, 26, was a special operations Marine based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, who served two combat tours in Afghanistan, according to WJXT/WCWJ in Jacksonville. He lived with his wife, Gayle, and four young children, including twins who turned one this month. “Everyone thinks their family members are special,” his father, Terry, told the TV station. “That’s natural. We really think Joseph was very special. He was a wonderful young man of God. I said, ‘Joseph, why do you want to be a grunt?’ He said, ‘Because that’s the hardest thing there is to do.’ When Joseph decided to do something, he went all in. He didn’t look for the easy way; he looked for the right way.”

Staff Sgt. William Joseph Kundrat, 33, came from a military family, the Frederick News-Post reported. His father spent 30 years in the Marine Corps and his grandfather served in the Coast Guard during World War II. Kundrat served in Iraq before becoming a Raider, his mother told the newspaper. “Every breath of air you take, all the things you’re able to do, you can do those things because of people like my son,” Lynda Kundrat said. “I’ll never forget that.”

Sgt. Dietrich Schmieman, a Raider and native of Richland, Washington, joined the Marines out of a desire to serve, his former youth pastor the Rev. Corey Smith told the Spokesman-Review. “We’re just shocked and deeply saddened,” Smith told the newspaper. “The world lost a good one.” Schmieman graduated Hanford High School in 2009.

Sgt. Owen Lennon, 26, was from Rockland County, New York, and graduated from Ramapo High School in 2008, according to the Journal News. His sister Kelly posted a tribute to her brother on Facebook: “You may have been the youngest, but we always looked up to you. Our hero, Owen Lennon. Sending love to the other USMC families that lost loved ones last night.”

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ryan Lohrey was originally from Middletown, Indiana, according to WIBC. He was part of the Shenandoah High School football team the year that it went 12-0. “Ryan served our country with honor and we are grateful for his selfless service,” U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., tweeted on Wednesday. “He will be missed and I send my condolences and prayers to his family and friends.”

Lance Cpl. Dan Baldassare, 20,  wanted to be a Marine since middle school, and even wore military gloves to football practice, his friend Ryan McGowen told Pix 11. “He was a patriot and all he wanted to do was serve our country. Everyone had a lot of respect for Dan,” McGowan told Pix 11.

Sgt. Julian Kevianne, 31, joined the Marines in 2009 because he wanted to “protect and defend his country,” his brother Carlo Kevianne told the Detroit Free Press. Kevianne graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in mechanical engineering, according to Daily Mail. “Michigan is grieving with the nation over the terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 Marines, including Detroit native Julian Kevianne,” Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said in a statement. “Let us come together as a state and a nation during this difficult time to support and honor our military who have done so much for us and their families as they mourn their losses.”

Gunnery Sgt. Brendan Johnson, 46, had planned to retire next year and possibly pursue a master’s degree, his father, Kevin, told The Associated Press. The Vermont native married his wife, Anna, shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. Johnson ultimately hoped to move to Montana, where his wife is from. “This wasn’t supposed to happen,” Kevin Johnson told the Burlington Free Press. “I’m not supposed to bury a child.”

Staff Sgt. Joshua Snowden, 31, was the flight engineer aboard the KC-130T, the Dallas Morning News reported. Snowden grew up in Dallas and joined the Marines in 2003. He died just before his 32nd birthday, which would have been July 22, his family told KXAS-TV in Texas. “He was a dedicated Marine, a steadfast friend, and an honorable man,” his family said in a statement to the TV station. “He had an exuberant presence that could fill any space. You always knew when Joshua entered a room, and you always knew when he left.”

Staff Sgt. Robert Cox was a critical skills operator with the 2nd Raider Battalion, according to MARFORRES. He joined the Marine Corps in June 2007 and became a staff sergeant in October 2016. He deployed twice to Iraq, back to back, from March 2009 to January 2010. After deploying to Afghanistan in 2011, he deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Syria in 2016. His awards include: Two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; Combat Action Ribbon; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal; three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; two Afghanistan Campaign Medals; two Armed Forces Reserve Medals; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Navy Unit Commendation Medal; NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan; and a Letter of Appreciation.

Sgt. Talon Leach, a Raider, leaves behind his wife, Sara, and his parents, Denise and Tab, who are from Fulton, Missouri, according to the AP. “Talon Leach was a great Marine and an even better human being,” a friend wrote on Facebook. “So goofy and fun and there for anyone that needed help. I remember when he first got to our unit and he immediately hit it off with everyone. You couldn’t not like him. You have left some amazing memories for us and all will be missed. Love you brother!”

Sgt. Chad Jenson was a critical skills operator with the 2nd Raider Battalion, according to MARFORRES. He joined the Marine Corps in September 2010 and became a sergeant in October 2014. He came from Los Angeles, and his awards include a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; two Certificates of Commendation (Individual Award); three Letters of Appreciation and two Meritorious Masts.

Gunnery Sgt. Mark Hopkins, 34, was a devoted Christian who joined the Marine Corps at 18 and was referred to as “Hoppy” by his fellow Marines when he served in Okinawa from 2004 to 2006, according to a family statement. He married his wife Patricia, 32, in 2014 and they had three children: Wyatt, 2 years old; Abby, 1 year old; and Lewis, four months old. “Today is the saddest day of my life,” said his brother Robert. “My older brother, best man, and best friend Gunnery Sergeant Mark Hopkins of the U.S. Marine Corps was killed yesterday in a C-130 plane crash in Mississippi. I feel grief like I’ve never known. Mark was the most likable man I knew. He was a tremendous friend, a loving husband, a super dad. I wish I could’ve had another phone call to tell him how proud I was to be his little brother. Life will never be the same without Mark. May the Lord comfort us with the hope of the gospel that my brother so loved and cherished.”

Cpl. Collin Schaaff was an aircraft ordnance technician assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452, according to MARFORRES. He came from Pierce, Washington, and he joined the Marine Corps in August 2013, becoming a corporal in December 2015. His awards include: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; two Letters of Appreciation and a Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award). Schaaff leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter and his wife, Sarah Beth, who is expected to give birth to another daughter in November. A GoFundMe fundraising page has been established for donations.

It was the deadliest crash for the Marines in more than a decade. The FBI is investigating the cause.

The crew included six Marine Raiders and a sailor from the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion at Camp Lejeune, according to a statement from Marine Corps Special Operations Command Tuesday.

The KC-130T and nine other crew members were from Marine Aerial Refueling and Transport Squadron 452, officials said.

The aircraft took off from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on a mission to Naval Air Field El Centro, California, according to a Marine Corps Forces Reserve statement on Tuesday.

“On behalf of the entire Marine Corps, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the aircraft mishap yesterday afternoon in Mississippi,” Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said in a statement Tuesday. “Our focus remains on notifying and supporting the families while we conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of this tragedy.”

The names of the 16 service members on board have not been publicly released, pending next of kin notification.

The plane went down about 4 p.m. in LeFlore County in the Mississippi Delta. Federal Aviation Administration officials contacted the Marine Corps after it disappeared from radar.

“Equipment on board included various small arms ammunition and personal weapons,” MARFORRES announced in a news release. “An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is at the scene as a precaution in the interest of safety.”

The aircraft’s reserve squadron is based at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 60 miles north of New York City. VMGR-452 flies KC-130s that are modified to provide aerial refueling capabilities.  

“On behalf of the Marine Corps Reserve, I extend my deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those who perished in last night’s tragedy,” Lt. Gen. Rex C. McMillian, commander of MARFORRRES, said in a Tuesday statement. “The Marines and sailor involved in this incident were among our finest. They dedicated their lives to our core values of honor, courage and commitment. They will never be forgotten.”

Monday’s crash appears to be the deadliest Marine aviation mishap since January 2005, when a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed in western Iraq, killing 30 Marines and one sailor. More recently, 12 Marines were killed in January 2016 when two CH-53Es collided over Hawaii.

LeFlore County Emergency Management Agency Director Frank Randle told reporters at a late briefing that 16 bodies had been recovered after the KC-130 spiraled into the ground about 85 miles north of Jackson in the Mississippi Delta. 

The Naval Safety Center has recorded seven Class A mishaps for Marine aviation since October. Class A mishaps involve death or damage of more than $2 million. One of those mishaps was fatal: On Dec. 7, Capt. Jake Frederick was killed when his F/A-18C crashed off Japan.

Two Reserve maintainers were severely burned on June 25 after flammable material in a drip pan caught fire, according to the Naval Safety Center. MARFORRES officials have declined to release the maintainers’ medical conditions.

While the cause of Monday’s crash has yet to be determined, in the past decade the Marine Corps has struggled mightily to maintain aircraft readiness in the face of austere budgets and an at-times crushing operational tempo. 

The number of Marine Corps aircraft ready to fly on any given day has plummeted in the past seven years, with mission-capable rates for all but one of the Marine Corps’ 12 fixed-wing, rotary and tiltrotor airframes have fallen since the end of fiscal 2009.

Only 41 percent, or 439, of the Marine Corps’s 1,065 aircraft were flyable as of Dec. 31, Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, then-deputy commandant for aviation, said in February. Davis said his target should be 589 flyable aircraft.

The Pentagon’s Inspector General notified Marine Corps Commandant Robert Neller and Naval Inspector General Vice Adm. Herman Shelanski in October that it would audit the Corps’ struggling aviation readiness.

While officials stress that the number of flyable aircraft fluctuates daily, the downward trends have caused alarm.

Navy Times senior reporter Geoff Ziezulewicz and The Associated Press contributed to this story