Alva Earley died .png)
during the summer of 2024 in LaJunta, Colorado. He lived alone. Apparently someone noticed that he had not been seen for some time. The police discovered his body in his home on August 8, 2024.
He was in the Harmoneers choir. Later, after he had moved to Chicago he became active in various opera groups. He had a very fine bass voice and performed in operas. The Chicago Lyric Opera arranged for him to sing in school assemblies as part of its outreach program. He sang with Mahalia Jackson, William Warfield, and other prominent singers. He sang with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a guest soloist. In his late 70's, he sang a short excerpt of an opera solo for me and 2 guests. He was still great! Over the years, he sang in various churches including the 83rd St. Baptist Church in Chicago where he was also an assistant pastor.
For 10 years, Alva worked as a tech for the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute. He went to Kent Law School in Chicago and enrolled in an honors program where he earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree. He then worked for the Attorney General of Illinois for 16 years in the division on employment security.
He lived alone and did not have a close family. He had an older step brother, Rollie Jr., who lived in Florida in 2008, and a step sister who lived “out east” in 2024 but Alva did not talk about them. Alva married once but his mother-in-law kept insisting that he was not “good enough” for her daughter
For the full memoriam see the artical in the 'Alva Early Stories' in the menu on the left
John Sauter
Sorry for our loss. He made a significant contribution to our great class of 1959.
Jennefer Wetherford (Eldert)
Prayers for his family & friends.
Adale Lauver Finch (Tessman)
So sorry to hear of Alva's passing. He was a good friend from the 4th grade on. I was so taken aback by his comments regarding Butch and I at the reunion when he spoke. I don't know that we treated him any differently than anyone else. I had no idea of all he was going through, but so glad that he overcame all the odds and became quite successful. He actually sent us a gift on our 25th Anniversary and that reunion was the first I could thank him. Our great Class of 1959 has lost a REALLY good one. RIP Alva!😪❤️Jerry D Johnson
SO sorry to hear abiout Alva's passing. He meant a lot fo the class of 1959. Always appreciated his courage to deal with so many issues. He will be missed.
Richard Hogan
The notice I received from the websit of Alva's death had no content, except for his high school picture. Was it like that for anyone else? I did not Know Alva well in school but what interaction we had was good. I don't any of us knew of the fiasco about his diplome and the so-called reasons behind it. Otherwise we would have done something to right the wrong before it happened. I'm confident of that. The ceremony when Alva finally got his GHS diploma several years ago was well done. Alva perserveered and was successful which says much for his character. His memory will live on.
Dick Hogan, Class of '59.
Jennefer Wetherford (Eldert)
The complete information about AlvaEarly is on the "GHS CLASS OF '59" (I think that the correct site). This was not known by so many for many years. Such a SAD TIME! GREAT he was given some recognition after all he had gone through!
Maurice (Morrie) Baker
Alva and family are in our prayers. May God continue to watch over our class of 1959. Morrie
Jerry D Johnson
I also didn't know of Alva's diploma struggles at the time it happened. However, I sadly remember that Lake Storey beach (north side ) was "Whites Only" and that there was a "Blacks Beach" across the lake on the South Side. I wish we all could have done something about that at the time but it was right in the middle of the Jim Crow era.
Jennefer Wetherford (Eldert)
Thank you for remembering him & sharing !