Deacon Guss Purvey

Mr. Guss Purvey entered eternal rest on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at his residence.   Funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 3 p.m. from Smith Grove Baptist Church  with Rev. Willie Brown officiating.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  

Mr. Guss Purvey was born September 9, 1932, in Tennille, Georgia to the late Minnie Clyde Roberts and Joseph Purvey.  

Mr. Purvey was a pillar in the community, the true epitome of an exceptional man who modeled loving without judgement, service before self and having faith without complaint knowing God always delivers on his promises.  An avid fisherman, he spent countless days on the water, his place of peace, catching a feast of fish for his family, friends and members of the community.  He served a Chairman of the Deacon Board at Smith Grove Baptist Church, his place of worship, where he committed sixty-two years as God's servant in the sanctuary he actually built.  Mr. Purvey retired from Engelhard Corporation of Oconee, Georgia.  

Mr. Purvey was a devoted and obedient man of unwavering faith until his "last reel" here on earth.  He leaves to cherish a lifetime of enduring love and fond memories to Mrs. Lizzie Mae Purvey, a devoted wife of 65 years.  He had eleven children, five surviving:  Pamela Burton of Dublin, GA; Margaret (Willie) Bailey of Dublin, GA; Joseph (Juanita) Purvey of Tennille, GA; Thomas Purvey of Tennille, GA; and Vernida (Calvin) Curry of Sandersville, GA; and six children who preceded him in death:  Mary Hollison, Robert Scott, James Davis, Jeannette Watts, Frances Wadley and Phillip Purvey.  Mr. Purvey had total of 26 grandchildren and 56 great grandchildren.  He also leaves behind two siblings:  Dollie Mae Roberts of Macon, GA; and Johnny (Helen) Roberts of Pensacola, FL.  Mr. Guss Purvey's exceptional brotherhood included his genuine lifelong friends:  Mr. William Pierce, Mr. Ernest Pierce, Mr. McKinley Collins, Mr. Bobby Lee Grady and Rev. Eric Adams.  His "earthy angels" who selflessly and consistently rendered love and support going above and beyond ,in his time of need:   Ms. April Adams, Ms. Pat Darrisaw, Ms. Bernice Lawrence, Ms. Zora Lee Braswell & Ms. Tameka Butler.  Mr. Purvey, a stellar husband, father, grandfather, and friend will truly be missed and his memory will endure forever in the hearts of his loved ones as he "set sail on the sea of eternal life".  

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Clara-Minnie Memorial Chapel inside L.M. Pierce Funeral Home.   

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