Joseph F. Purvis Obituary

Joseph Fred Purvis, of 1009 n. Harding Street, a longtime resident of Albany, died on Saturday, October 9. He was 87 years old. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 12 at 2 PM at The First Baptist Church in Albany. Officiating will be Rev. Don Driskill and Rev. Bill Hurdle, of Macon. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Albany. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily and Italy during World War II. He was always patriotic and proud to be an American and enjoyed activities surrounding our national holidays. Joe was retired from several business interests in Albany, and had many friends and past associated who enjoyed his wit and fellowship. He was president and manager of Security Storage and Moving Service for 19 years. Following his retirement from Security, he became interested in real estate and was a realtor with Slappey Real Estate for a number of years. Subsequent to that time, and at an age when most men would have long been retired, Joe's love of his church, his love of good cooking and his love for people lead him to take the position of Food Service Director at First Baptist Church until his final and "official" retirement several years back. He was a lifetime Deacon at First Baptist Church and was a Director of Adult Sunday School Department for a number of years. In 1967, Joe became the charter president of the newly formed Exchange Club of Downtown Albany and served twice in that office, as well as serving as Secretary-Treasurer for 17 years. In recent years he enjoyed his membership in the Kiwanis Golden Key Club with fellow longtime friends and business retirees. He and his wife were very devoted fans of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team, and had attended all home games in Athens for more than 20 years, as well as following the Dogs to several bowl games and other Bulldog activities. He leaves many friends in a special group who shared the excitement and fun of those weekends "between the hedges". He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sara Ware Purvis, formerly of Cuthbert. Also surviving is their daughter, Julie Virginia Purvis Montgomery and son-in-law, Arthur L. Montgomery, both of Atlanta and an adoring and precious little dog - Molly. Joe and Sara were very proud to be the godparents of Karen Reddish of Newnan, GA and Lindsay Reddish of Athens, GA, both formerly of Albany. The family is grateful for the love and longtime friendship of three very special friends, John Harold, Beatrice Lockett and Marie Jones, all of Albany. In addition, they so appreciative of the support and care of a more recent, but no less devoted friend, Mary Murray. Those desiring may make memorials to "Present Location Fund" First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 67, Albany, GA 31702 or their favorite charity. The family will receive friends Monday, 7 to 8:30 PM at Kimbrell-Stern.

Joseph F. Purvis Obituary

August 3, 1917 - October 9, 2004