By Staff
Mr. James Earl Purvis Sr., 54, of 315 Simmons St., Washington, died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at The VA Medical Center in Durham.
A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday in St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Washington, with the Rev. William F. Whitehead officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Washington.
Mr. Purvis was born in Beaufort County on Feb. 28, 1954. He was the son of the late Dave and Annie Johnson Purvis. He was a 1973 graduate of Washington High School. He retired as a staff sergeant with the Army, having received numerous commendation medals. After his retirement from the Army, he was employed as a funeral home associate and service station manager. On July 17, 1976, he married Marilyn Daniels Purvis, who survives. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 263 and Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 11 of Washington. He was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Washington.
Survivors include three daughters, Veronica Waters of Chocowinity, Tabitha Purvis-Jenkins of Greenville, and Pamela Daniels of Washington; two sons, James Purvis Jr. and Joseph Daniels, both of the home; one god daughter, Jasmine Daniels of Washington; one sister, Shirley Purvis of Washington; two brothers, Larry Johnson of Washington and Stevie Johnson of Black Jack; four grandchildren and three stepgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Marvin Johnson and George Purvis and one sister, Diane Blount.
Viewing will take place today from 2-8 p.m. at Randolph Funeral Home, 219 N. Bonner St., Washington.
The family will receive friends at the home.