It is with great joy we announce that on March 22, our Lord and Savior has welcomed his loyal servant "James David Purvis" Into his kingdom, where he will be forever healed and loved. He passed peacefully and with no pain and is now basking in glory of our Great God. While he will be missed it is with no sorrow as we never knew a man so great and so sure of his Love for Jesus. We will not dishonor him with further tears because he is exactly where he wants to be. We yearn for the day that we will be reunited.
We love you Dad.
Born in Birmingham, Al to John Sparks Purvis and Ollie Brookins Purvis, "Jimmy" was the 8th of 10 children. He was a Korean War veteran and after his service attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute which became Auburn University where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. He was employed by Sears and Roebuck for 35 years and was a semi pro baseball player who never hit a ball to right side of the infield. His love for the Lord was unprecedented and he was an active member of the Baptist Chapel where he served as a lay preacher, deacon, and Sunday School teacher. He loved sharing his knowledge and passion of biblical stories and taught and led numerous bible studies.
He and his wife Janice were active square dancers dancing up to 3 nights a week. After retirement they enjoyed traveling extensively and spending time with family. He will forever be remembered for his storytelling and never-ending wit and phenomenal memory. He could be found always working on some form of a puzzle and or a math problem.
Mr. Purvis was preceded in death by his daughter, Darlene McClendon and siblings, Brunelle, Daniel, Gerald, Donald, Sylvia "Toots", Betty Joyce, Melvin and John S.
He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Purvis; children, John (Ann) Purvis, Kim (Michael) Garrett, Robbie Purvis, Justin Purvis, Joyce (Jody) Jay, and Jennifer (Scott) Leatherwood; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Norma Gail Quick; sister-in-law, Katherine Purvis; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
October 29, 1932 ~ March 22, 2023 (age 90)
Services will be at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, March 25, 2023, with visitation from 9:00 am until the 10:00 am service time. Interment will follow in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
