Tony Dane Erwin

Mr. Tony Dane Erwin, age 87, of the Farmville Community, departed this life on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at his residence following a period of declining health.

Tony and his twin brother, Terry, were born on October 27, 1938, to Bonnie Fuquea Erwin and Frank Bennett "Pete" Erwin. He and Terry remained close for his entire life, living next door to one another on the family property.

Tony was a lifelong farmer. He started out raising cotton and soybeans alongside his father and his brother. As his father's health declined in the early 1970s, Terry left farming for the textile industry, and Tony turned to a different kind of farming. He built chicken houses on the family property and went into the poultry business, raising laying hens for many years until he retired.

Retirement finally untethered him from the daily demands of the poultry business. (Chickens do not seem to recognize weekends or holidays.) He enjoyed traveling with Brenda as she provided educational consulting services, moving workshop supplies, setting up, distributing materials, and securing lunch.

In retirement, Tony kept up a near-daily routine of meeting his friends for breakfast, enjoying the camaraderie and soaking in the collective wisdom of the group. He enjoyed it so much that he kept it up for as long as he possibly could.

Tony was a devoted Christian. He grew up attending Farmville Methodist Church. Later, the family joined Belmont Baptist Church in Calhoun, where he served for many years as a Deacon. While at Belmont, Tony became part of the Sportsmen Sunday School Class, where he remained for over forty years. The men of that class became highly valued, lifelong friends to him and to his family.

In the last few years, Tony and Brenda became members at Heritage Baptist Church, joining several close family members who had already made Heritage their church home. They were made to feel very welcome there. The staff and church members were wonderful in assisting Tony as his health declined and a wheelchair became necessary.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Brenda Taylor Erwin; his two sons, Brent Erwin and his wife, Kelly, and Eric Erwin, both of Gordon County; his very special granddaughter, Tiffany Brooke Harris; his twin brother, Terry Erwin, and numerous other relatives.

Above all, Tony was an exceptionally kind, decent and generous man. He loved his family very much, and they very much love him. He lived a long, happy, and meaningful life. We are thankful for that, and we will miss him so much.

A service to celebrate Tony's life will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Heritage Baptist Church, with Pastor Shane Parrott and Rev. Bryson Frix officiating. Burial will follow in Chandler Cemetery, with Rev. Eddie Brannon in charge of the committal service. Pallbearers will be Lane Erwin, Tim Frix, Lynn Walter, Larry Dempsey, Jeff Dyer, and Richard Clark. Honorary pallbearers will include members of the Sportsmen Sunday School Class and the Yellow Jacket Breakfast crew.

The family will receive friends at Heritage Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 14th, from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Tony Dane Erwin.