Funeral service to celebrate the life of James E. Purvis, Sr., 85, of Enid, formerly of Williamstown, N.J., will be 1:00 PM, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Barry K. Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, with arrangements by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation with family and friends will be Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 at the funeral home.
Jim was born January 16, 1932, in Williamston, North Carolina, to S.L. and Mary Bell (Baker) Purvis, and went to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at his home with his family at his side.
Being raised in a Christian home with Christian parents and grandparents, church attendance was mandatory. Yes, Sunday School, morning service, special afternoon services, and then going back for evening service, made Jim not want to see the inside of another church, because he had gone to church services enough to satisfy a lifetime. He and his sister Shirley would often sing duets in church. As Jim often told the story, when he became the age for the military draft, the law at that time was, that if there was only one male in the family, he could not be drafted. He was an adventurous young man. After working odd jobs, got enough dollars together to leave Williamston, began to travel throughout the country. He became familiar with box cars on the railroad, mission places like “Father Divine” and “Daddy Grace” who offered young men a bed and food. When he reached Philadelphia, PA, he met, fell in love and married his first wife Dorothy. They eventually moved to Williamstown, NJ, where their children grew up. Five years after Dorothy’s death, he met and married Carrie H. Lewis. He joined the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Deptford, NJ, where he was an active member. Due to his failing health, they moved to Enid, to be near family. He was employed at the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in Deptford, NJ as a Maintenance Supervisor, then when the company changed hands, he worked for and retired in 1994 from the Mantua Township Municipal Utilities Authority in the water department as a laborer. He was a member of the North American Hunting Club. Jim’s hobbies were hunting for deer, squirrels, rabbits and other small animals. He raised German Shepherd dogs, and loved little children, always taking time for them. He liked to cook and bake cakes, his favorite was the “Pig Pickin Cake” which made your mouth water when you tasted it.
Jim is survived by his wife Carrie Harnetha; children Shelley Purvis, of Williamstown, N.J., David Purvis of Clayton, N.J., Brian C. Purvis of Deptford, N.J., Dorothy Clark (Scott) of Philadelpia, PA, Yvonne Lewis-Odom, Kevin Lewis of Enid, Charlene Lewis of Wappingers Falls, N.J., and Angela Redd (Donald) of Wappingers Falls, N.J.; 22 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and sister Shirley Respass of Williamston, N.C.; cousins, and many friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his sons James E. Purvis, Jr, Lawrence Purvis, Ronald Purvis, and nephew Harry Respass.
Memorials may be made through Anderson-Burris Funeral Home to OMRF-Alzheimer’s Division.
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