James Baxter Purvis, Jr.

Obituary: James Baxter Purvis, Jr. born June 24, 1932, went to be at home with his Lord and Savior December 3, 2015 from the Tucker Hospice House of Cabarrus County. Born in Kannapolis, NC, he was the son of the late James Baxter Purvis, Sr. and Sarah Faulkenberry Purvis. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Claudette Stafford Purvis of Concord. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Joe Purvis in 2007, and a great-granddaughter Nylah in 2006. Remaining survivors are his sister, Joyce Wilkerson of Kannapolis, children, Phil Purvis (Shirley), of Spencer, Wanda Burleyson (Melvin) of Mount Pleasant, NC, Joy Nagy (Charles) of China Grove, Lori Steele (Cameron), of Rockwell, and Amy Beaver (Ricky) of Salisbury; 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Pam Stancil Purvis of Kannapolis, NC. Mr. Purvis attended Kannapolis City Schools and then entered the military. He was a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force, spending his entire career stateside. Following retirement in 1972 he returned to his hometown and entered the civilian work force as a machine operator. Of his many interests he enjoyed fishing, spending time with his dog, and volunteering with Meals on Wheels of Rowan County. Above everything else was his love of the Lord Jesus Christ and his church, Landis Baptist Church where he was a member for 41 years. He was an active participant in the visitation program, Sunday School, men's prayer room fellowship, and served on the pulpit committee. He was a member of the Come and Dine Sunday School Class. Mr. Purvis visited many sick in the nursing homes and hospitals, sitting with families during surgeries of loved ones, and served as a pallbearer at many funerals. In the months prior to his surgery in October, he attended church faithfully, even when his physical condition was not the best. The family will receive friends Sunday, December 6, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Landis Baptist Church with the service beginning at 7:00 PM officiated by Rev. Richie Honeycutt and Rev. Bruce Graham. Interment will be on Monday, December 7, at 11:00 AM at Greenlawn Cemetery, China Grove, NC. At other times the family will be at the home of Ricky and Amy Beaver. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Landis Baptist Church, 110 North Kimmons Street, Landis, NC 28088, or Meals on Wheels of Rowan County, P.O. Box 1914, Salisbury, NC 28145. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com, Kannapolis, NC who is serving the family.
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday December 6, 2015 Landis Baptist Church Landis, NC

Service: 7:00 PM Sunday December 6, 2015 Landis Baptist Church Landis, NC

Interment: Greenlawn Cemetery China Grove, NC 11:00 AM Monday December 7, 2015