By Staff
Mr. Gene Ashton Purvis, age 79, a resident of 362 Riverview Street, Belhaven died Tuesday February 26, 2008 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
A graveside service will be held 4 p.m. Thursday February 28, 2008 at the Belhaven Community Cemetery officiated by Rev. Steve Green.
Mr. Purvis was born in Belhaven on November 21, 1928, son of the late Julius H. and Sophronia Topping Purvis. He was a 1945 graduate of John A. Wilkinson High School in Belhaven. He served his country as a Communications Technician 2nd Class, 1950 to 1954, in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Following his military service, Mr. Purvis attended Davidson College from 1945 to 1947. He earned his BS Degree from East Carolina University in 1950, a MA Degree from East Carolina in 1956 and continued his PhD studies at UNC/Chapel Hill and the University of Northern Colorado. Mr. Purvis was a teacher at John A. Wilkinson High School from 1954 to 1957 and served as their principal from 1957 until 1961. Following his high school teaching career, he transferred to Atlantic Christian College, now Barton College, as an Associate Professor from 1961 until his retirement in 1988.
Survivors include a brother: Julius Henry Purvis, Jr. and his wife Barbara of Belhaven; a niece: Julie P. Robinson and her son Casey, both of Durham.
The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the First Christian Church, P.O. Box 577, Belhaven, NC 27810 or to Barton College, Gene A. Purvis Award, c/o Institutional Advancement Office, P.O. Box 5000, Wilson, NC 27893.
Condolences may be directed to the Purvis family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is serving the Purvis family.
Paid Obituary