Rev. Elisha Purvis Jr.

Rev. Elisha Purvis Jr., age 94, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Sunday August 25, 2019 at his residence. Rev. Purvis was born on February 6, 1925 in Ambrose, Georgia the son of the late Elisha Purvis Sr and Elizabeth Lizzie Nugent Purvis.

Rev. Purvis was a preacher for over forty-two years serving churches in Coffee, Bacon and Jeff Davis Counties, a retired farmer, Charter Member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Charter Member and former Chief of Sinkhole Road Fire Department and was a veteran of the United States Army serving during WWII. Rev. Purvis was an honorary deacon and member of St. Illa Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Harper Purvis, two sisters, Oveida Day and Mavis Daniel and two brothers, Hubert Purvis and Kenneth Purvis.

Survivors include son, Elisha Wade Purvis (wife Carol) of Douglas, GA; two granddaughters, Kimberly Elisa Stevens (husband Kyle) of Statesboro, GA and Kayla Elana Sorrelle (husband Max) of Bainbridge, GA; great grandchild, Henry Stevens of Statesboro, GA; two sisters, Verma Purvis Metts of West Green, GA and Faye Purvis Alford of Macon, GA; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Thursday August 29, 2019 at 11:00am at St. Illa Baptist Church with Dr. Ben Glosson, Rev. Bill Stone, Rev. Rick Brown and Rev. Robert Wigley officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery with military honors by Ft. Stewart Honor Guard. Officiating at the graveside was Dr. Ben Glosson with a closing prayer by Max Sorrelle. Pallbearers were Gree Harper, Charles Larry Daniel, Jimmy C. Spivey, Autrey Merritt, Stanley Spivey and Richard Merritt. Honorary pallbearers were Don E. Varnadore, Huel Medders Sr, Grady Carver, R.T. Merritt, W.L. Grantham, Nadine Grantham, Waldo Chaney, Eugene Harper, Anita Cofer, Danny Grantham, Julie Phillips and Rodney Courson Jr.

Musical selections were “Victory is Mine”, “Rock of Ages”, “This World is Not My Home”, “Precious Lord” and “When the Saints Go Marching In” all sung by the St. James Church Choir and a congregational song “Amazing Grace”.

The family received friends Wednesday evening from 6pm until 9pm at Sims Funeral Home.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.simsfuneralhome.org.

Sims Funeral Home, Douglas, GA is in charge of arrangements.

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