Homegoing Celebration for Ms. Erma Mickle

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Erma Jane Rhea Mickle, 90 of Pennsylvania, peacefully passed away on Monday, April 26, 2021 at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania after extended hospital care at McKeesport Hospital, then skilled nursing and rehabilitative care at Manor Care Health Services located in Monroeville.  Upon her arrival to the Lord's special resting place, she was greeted and warmly embraced by her husband, James W. Mickle; her parents Mildred and Cornelius Rhea; and her grandparents, Elizabeth and John Rhea.  What a celebration event!

Erma was born in Washington, D.C. on February 11, 1931 to the late Cornelius Mahlon Rhea and Mildred Louise Bryant, however, she was raised in Johnson City, Tennessee. She was an only child. Erma was educated at Langston Hughes High School in Johnson City, Tennessee and at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina where she furthered her education and obtained her B.A. in Education.  She was a proper and cultured lady who studied art and music.  She wanted to be a concert opera singer.  She also had a love for for elementary education, helping children learn.  This was just one of her passions.

After graduating from Bennett College, Erma came to Charlotte, North Carolina and taught 5th and 6th grades beginning with Druid Hills Elementary, and Our Lady of Consolation School.  Afterward, she taught 5th and 6th grades at Plaza Road Elementary School and Piedmont Open Middle School.  Finally, she retired from First Ward Elementary School in 1994 teaching 6th, 5th and ending with 4th grades.  Overall, Erma taught for 42 years in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. While teaching at these various schools, she played the organ and piano and directed a choir as minister of music at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church.  She continued directing choirs at New Hampton Presbyterian Church in Derita, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlotte, H.O. Graham Methodist Church in Charlotte, and finally, Grace A.M.E. Zion Methodist Church in downtown Charlotte after retiring from teaching elementary school.

While living in Charlotte, she met the love of her life, James William Mickle, when he was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.  It was a true love story as where you saw one, you saw the other.  They married in 1955, studied catechism classes together, joined the Catholic faith, and she became a Catholic daughter of the Knights of Columbus.  Erma also had a love of caring for her family beginning with her husband Sgt. James Mickle, a World War II and Korean War veteran who was her devoted husband for 36 year during which they had three lovely daughters, Rita J. Mickle, Mildred R. Mickle, Ph.D. English, and Camille L. Mickle, M.A. Psychology.  Much later she adopted Bishop Desmond L. Gause as a close son, Brenda L. Brewer a very close family friend and daughter to her, and a very special friend, Jackie A. Stanley (hairdresser).  She leaves her "grandchild" (Simcha-feline).

Erma had another passion, a love of cooking.  She enjoyed having people over for dinner and cookouts.  She took pride in southern cooking and was known for her fried chicken, macaroni & cheese, baked goods, and everything southern cuisine imaginable.  She often spoke of how she was conflicted with the idealism of being caterer of bake goods and southern cuisine.  Erma also had a passion for flowers for she loved to plant them in her yard.

Erma will be remembered as a devoted educator, instructor, musician, loving mother, down home southern cook, and beloved by all who knew her.  She will be remembered for her love of planting flowers amongst shrubs in her yard.  She will also be remembered for her generosity, kindness, compassion, and empathy.