ERMA SLAUGHTER BRUNDAGE

Erma S. Brundage was born in Dallas, Texas on August 12, 1940, to the late Robert and Jimmie Oliphant-Slaughter. She moved to San Diego with her mother, sisters and brother in 1941. Erma was raised by her loving and adoring mother. She had one son, the later Robert Daniel Brundage, who she adopted, bringing him home from hospital when he was 2 days old. She loved him so. God called Robert home at the early age of 39.

Erma accepted Christ at an early age. She united with the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church on 31st and K Street, San Diego in 1944 under the pastorage of the late Rev. Elfred Quinn, where she was baptized by sprinkling. She was a member there for 30 years. She then united with the Mt. Erie Baptist Church in 1975, under the excellent leadership of Pastor Dr. Walter G. Wells, where she was baptized by immersion. She was a faithful member of Mt. Erie, singing in the Sanctuary Choir for over 40 years.

Erma received her formal education in San Diego, attending Stockton Elementary School, Memorial Jr. High School and graduating from San Diego High School in 1958.

Erma went to work for the U.S. Government in 1959 at North Island Naval Air Station as a clerical worker. After several promotions, she completed her career at North Island in 1975, as supervisor of a staff that prepared the record books for the U.S. Navy jet aircraft. During this period, she attended San Diego City College, Kelsey Jenny Business college and San Diego State College. Also, during this period, Erma became interested in Court Reporting and the legal field. She attended and completed San Diego College of Business.  In March 1977, she was sworn in as an official Federal Government Court Reporter at the Naval Legal Service Office in San Diego until 1984.

In 1984, after having a desire to work abroad, she applied and was accepted for Department of Defense positions worldwide as a court reporter, an Army Inspector General Investigator, a Legal Office Manager. She worked for the Army Inspector General in Seoul, South Korea; the Air Force legal offices at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, Hahn Air Base in Germany, and Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, where she retired in 1995, after 35 years of service with the Department of Defense.

Erma received numerous awards and recognitions, to include being selected as the Outstanding Civilian of the Year for all U.S. Air Force civilians in Europe, a commendation for her participation on the investigation board for the tragic Black Hawk friendly shoot downs over North Iraq and selected as Senior Civilian Information Manager of the year before she retired.

Erma worked and traveled extensively all over the world, to include South Korea, The Philippines, Germany, Turkey, Japan, Singapore, Guan, Okinawa, Italy, France, Holland, England, Spain, Mexico, Greece, Cypress, Egypt, the Caribbean Islands, Panama Canal and the Holy Land. She cruised the Nile; viewed the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, leaned on the Tower of Pisa, marveled at the Eifel Tower; walked through the ruins of Pompei; entered the Pyramids of Egypt; stood at the wall that separated East and West Berlin and walked where Jesus walked.

She loved her church. If you wanted to make her angry, say something negative about Mt. Erie, Pastor Wells, or First Mama Frankie Wells. She loved entertaining her friends. Her “Pork Pot Celebration” on New Year’s Day will be long remembered, as well as her annual Birthday Dinner & Show Extravaganza, A “Mardi Gras in August” often attended by over 200 guests. She loved and enjoyed her family. Erma was active in social and charitable organization, to include the United Christian Workers and The Divas. She donated to several charities, donating to Feed the Children for over 20 years and Rady Children’s Hospital.

Erma was preceded in death by her son Robert Brundage, her sisters Charlie Bell Bradshaw, Ruby Brown, Robbie Mitchell and her brother Ernest Cofield. She leaves to celebrate her homegoing her nieces Debra, Cheryl (husband Astley), Denise, Rene, Tiffany (husband Aaron), Jasmine, Ashley, Jessica, Alexis & Mona. Her nephews Willie, Maurice (wife Dionne), James (wife Venatia), Charles (wife Kelly), Micah, Robert and Gregory. Her Brother-in-love Joe Mitchell, daughter-in-love Toni Brundage, special friends, Bertha Petty and Edna Adams; and a host of other nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and many “very special friends”.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing...

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