Mary Ruth “Mama Ruth” Purvis, 92
Mary Ruth “Mama Ruth” Purvis, 92 of Adel passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at her residence. Mama Ruth was born June 5, 1929 in Cecil, Ga to the late Liston Wheeler & Florrie Drew Legette. She joined Shiloh Methodist Church and was baptized there at the river when she was 15 years old. After marrying her husband, James Edward Purvis, she started attending Antioch Methodist Church. In 1966 she became a devoted member of First Baptist Church Adel. Mama Ruth loved to fish, play cards, and be outside in the garden. Some members of the church called her the “Rose Queen”, because she had so many roses, she would give them to the church and friends.
She was born in Cecil, Cook County, and graduated high school in Hahira. Mama Ruth was a mother to someone her whole life, whether her children or grandchildren.
Survivors include her sons, James Lamar Purvis of Lawrenceville, GA, and Dennis E. Purvis, Sr. of Suwanee, GA; grandchildren, Jessica Ruth Purvis, Dennis E. (Lili) Purvis, Jr, and Justin Purvis; great grandchildren, John Ross Purvis, Emily Ruth Purvis, and Emiliano Christopher Purvis. Mama Ruth was more like a mother to her grandchildren and great grandchildren by helping to raise them; nephews, Wayne Legette and Frankie Legette; niece, Francene Legette. Mama Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Purvis; brothers, Lonnie Mack Legette, who worked in food service on military battleships, and his wife Gloria, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale FL; brother, Earl Legette, who worked at Sears and his wife, Ruthie Legette; brother, Lee Paul Legette, who worked at Southern Bell Telephone Company and his wife, Arlene Legette; and her last brother, Frank Drew Legette, (same birthday as Mama Ruth) , and his wife, Dotty Legette; nephew, Stanley Legette.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church Adel with Dr. Mike Ruffin officiating. Interment followed at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Serving as active pallbearers were Paul Witherspoon, Brent Bloser, Joe Lewis, Dwight Purvis, Dennis Purvis, Sr, and Jamie Allen. Honorary pallbearers were Houston Tyson, Freddie Purvis, Jerry Purvis, Jr., and James L. Purvis. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.purvisfh.com. Purvis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.