AHOSKIE, NC – Elizabeth Griffin Purvis, age 98, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2016 at the Creekside Care & Rehab Center in Ahoskie, NC.

She was born October 22, 1917 to Lonnie and Ethel Latta Griffin in Nash County, NC.

Elizabeth attended Beauty College in Washington DC and worked briefly as a beautician in Myrtle and Guy Rasper’s beauty shop in Ahoskie. Once her children were born, she became a homemaker who devoted herself full-time to her husband, their 4 children, and later 10 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. She was a devout Christian and member of First Baptist Church of Ahoskie. Elizabeth prayed ongoing for each child, grandchild, and great grandchild even as they became adults.

Elizabeth was also an incredible cook who made everything from scratch.

In addition to her parents and siblings, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Harvey Purvis, Jr. and her precious granddaughter, Nan Purvis Lanier.

Elizabeth is survived by two sons, Keith Purvis (Sarah Purvis) of Washington, NC, and Garry Purvis and wife, Sylvia Kompkoff-Purvis of Ahoskie, NC; and two daughters, Marsha Enright and husband, Ronald, of Boise, ID, and Gail Buie of Tampa, FL. Grandchildren include: Keith Purvis and wife, Rea, Greenville, NC; Connor Ward and husband, Josh, Bear Grass, NC; Jean Credle and husband, Todd, of Swan Quarter, NC; Claire Mitchell and husband, Robbie, of Sandbridge,VA; Jordan Purvis of Morehead City, NC; Kaysha Purvis of Ahoskie, NC; Molly Buie of St. Petersburg, FL; Jo Park and husband, Wayne, of London, UK; and Jennifer Aldape and husband, Johnny, of Boise, ID. Great grandchildren include: Ebbie Purvis, Griffin Purvis, Greyson Lanier, Thomas Ward, Anna Credle, Owen Mitchell, Jackson Mitchell, Blake Horton, Ethan Park, Sophia Park, Johnny Aldape, Jimmy Aldape, and Josephine Aldape.

Special caregiving friends include Sallie Ayers and Geraldine Flood of Ahoskie.

A celebration of life graveside service for the family will be held Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie, NC at 11:00 am with Rev. Dr. Daniel Glaze officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, PO Box 649, Ahoskie, NC 27910.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie is handling the arrangements; online condolences for the Purvis family at www.garrettsykesfs.com.