PURVIS, Evelyn 1920-2011

PURVIS, WILLEMS, ROSS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/14/2012 at 20:14:24

Evelyn Purvis, 91, of Britt, Iowa, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, November 28, 2011 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services for Evelyn Purvis will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Britt Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Joel DeBoer officiating. Burial will be in Shiloh Township Cemetery in Wellsburg, Iowa at 2:30 PM on Friday.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the Britt Christian Reformed Church, 569 Main Avenue North in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services also at the church.

Evelyn, the daughter of John and Lucy (Willems) Ross was born July 28, 1920 in Wellsburg, Iowa. She was baptized in the Eastfriesland Presbyterian Church in 1920, attended Wellsburg public schools and graduated with the Class of 1937. In May of 1939, she graduated from the Waterloo School of Beauty Culture. She owned and operated a beauty shop until 1941.

Evelyn became a member of the Second Wellsburg Christian Reformed Church in 1939, and was a faithful servant for many years—active in the choir and the Helping Hand Society. She loved the Lord Jesus and committed her life to Him.

On October 10, 1941, she married Lt. Donald L. Purvis of Grundy Center, Iowa. After Don’s military service, they made their home in Wellsburg, Iowa. While in Wellsburg, Evelyn was a founding member of the Wellsburg library, serving on the board for several terms. She also was a charter member of the Wellsburg Study Club.

After having raised their children in Wellsburg, Evelyn and Don moved to Florida in 1976. They wintered there until December 2002, when they made their permanent home in Britt, Iowa. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte, Florida, and later became a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Britt.

Evelyn was an avid reader, wonderful seamstress, and loved to knit dishcloths to give away as gifts.

She is survived by her five children and their families: Linda Schmidt of Richmond, Virginia, Bonnie Buchholtz, of Austin, Texas, Jim (Jeanie) Purvis of Britt, Iowa, Dean (Cathy) Purvis of Charlotte, North, Carolina, and Jean (Jerry) Gilmer of Sycamore, Illinois; twelve grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren; and her sister, Wilma King, of Sahuarita, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her parents (John and Lucy Ross) her husband of 61 years (Don Purvis), her son-in-law (Bill Buchholtz), and daughter-in-law (Robyn Purvis).

Evelyn’s quick wit and her kind and loving nature will be missed dearly by her friends and family.

--Ewing Funeral Home, Britt, Iowa