Mr. Joseph T. Purvis

Joseph Thurston Purvis was born on June 7, 1949 in Pitt County to the late Wallace T. and Agnes Roxanna Smith Purvis. He was united in holy matrimony to Carolyn Bunn Purvis on January 30, 1971. To this union was born one daughter. He transitioned to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at The Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice in Greenville, NC. Joe, as he was affectionately called, graduated from Bethel Union High School in Bethel, NC. After graduating, he served in the United States Marine Corps. After serving his country, he got married in 1971. After some years, he relocated to Danbury, CT and worked various jobs. In 1990, he relocated back to NC where he worked at TRW until the company closed. Joe then furthered his education receiving an Associate in Applied Science degree in Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology from Pitt Community College in December 2006. Afterwards, he worked for J and J Mechanical, Inc., as well as owned and operated his business Purvis Heating and Air. He was an active member of New Wynn Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Male Choir member, maintenance HVAC technician and faithfully served on the Food Ministry until his health declined. Joe was an outdoorsman enjoying hunting in his earlier years. He had a strong passion for fishing. It was nothing for him to catch hundreds of fish and share with family and friends. He loved bowling, as he was a member of bowling leagues, competed in tournaments, and received trophies averaging 275. He enjoyed cooking on the grill and could make a mean homemade Chocolate Cake. He enjoyed sports, watching Westerns and channels about animals and the outdoors. Most of all he loved studying God’s word and sharing his wisdom. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace T. Purvis and Agnes Roxanna Smith Purvis, and his brothers, Alton Jenkins, Gerald ‘Tony’ Purvis, and Bobby Glenn Purvis. Joe leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Carolyn Bunn Purvis of the home in Greenville, NC; six children, Monica Crawford (Michael) of Greenville, NC, Tammy Harper (Sydney) of Cibolo, TX, Beatrice Murray (Gerald) of Goldsboro, NC, Reggie Hudson (Tonya) of Waldorf, MD, Taelar Williams of Riverview, FL, and Adrian Shipman of Pleasant Valley, NY; ten grandchildren, Trevon Moore of Greenville, NC, Richard Knight III of Goldsboro, NC, Andrew Murray of Goldsboro, NC, Cassie Murray of Wilmington, NC, Jeremy Williams and Sydney ‘Jaleel’ Harper of Cibolo, TX, Xavier Floyd of Nashville, TN in transition to Germany, Sianne McClean of Houston, TX, and Jayden Shipman of Pleasant Valley, NY; seven siblings; brother, Wallace Purvis, Jr. of Falkland, NC; sisters, Joyce Carolyn Purvis of Greenville, NC, Marie Payne (James) of Alexandria, VA, Agnes Clemons of Robersonville, NC, Brenda Purvis of Williamston, NC, Debra Clayton (Theaoseus) of Raleigh, NC, and Michelle Clare of Canal Winchester, OH; four sisters-in-law, Doretha Purvis, Nedra Harris Purvis, Dorothy Purvis, Mary Purvis; two brothers-in-law Sterling Bunns (Annie), Zachary Bunns; one aunt, Ester Lloyd Smith; one uncle, George Smith (Linda); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Mr. Joseph T. Purvis

June 7, 1949 - May 31, 2023