June White Purvis

Laura June White Purvis, of Valdosta died Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Langdale Hospice House. She was the eighth of nine children, born in Medart, Wakulla County, Florida on June 21, 1933, to the late Willie Atlas White and Sarah Emily Johnson White. She graduated from Leon High School and then attended Florida State University. Banking was an early career that she enjoyed. She was a member of Abundant Life Church of God, a devoted prayer group member and an Honorary Life Member of the Garden Center, Inc. (The Crescent) of Valdosta.   She also was a member of the Valdosta Junior Service League and assisted the Valdosta State University Interior Design Program, being well known for her love of fine antiques and art. Mrs. June was a classy lady who left a lasting impression of dignity and grace on all she met and made the best sweet tea in town.  It was said that Mrs. June was “one of the most generous people you could ever meet” and “always the favorite.”  A deeply devoted Pentecostal Christian, she lived her faith each day of her life.  She always made others feel special to God.  

Survivors include her children; Juliet Elizabeth Purvis, DNP of Valdosta; Dr. Jerry Gaines Purvis, Jr. and his wife Natalie Kayser of Valdosta, Jenifer Purvis Hight, RN, BSN and Dr. Perry Dennis Hight of Palm Beach, FL; Joy Purvis Tharpe, and Dr. Carter Edwin Tharpe of Macon, GA; her fourteen grandchildren, Jerry Gaines Purvis, III and his wife Alexia Purvis, Kathleen Claire Purvis Irby and her husband Josiah Irby, Guy Winston Purvis, Mitchell McGraw Purvis, Georgia June Purvis and their mother, Kathleen Bedingfield Morel, Ella Marie Purvis and Johnny Mizell Purvis; Juliet Barrett Hight, Perry Dennis Hight, Jr., Sophia Emily Hight, Athina Elizabeth Hight; Jacqueline Eve Tharpe, Carter Edwin Tharpe, Jr. and Scarlett Raines Tharpe; two great grandchildren, Margot Estelle Purvis and Vivien Leigh Purvis, and her sister Wilhelmina White Morrison and numerous nieces and nephews she adored. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Mizell White, Gaynell White, Bobby Jack White and Johnny White and three sisters, Elizabeth Bowen, Louise Tucker, and Joyce Clayton and her loving husband of 56 years Dr. Jerry Gaines Purvis, Sr.  

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Monday, April 1, 2024, at the Mausoleum at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. Pastor Wayne Hughes will officiate. Entombment will follow and she will be laid to rest next to her late husband. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Carson McLane Funeral home from 12:30 until 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Garden Clubs at the Crescent, PO Box 2423, Valdosta, GA 31604. www.thecrescentvaldosta.com. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com, Carson McLane Funeral Home.