After waiting eight years to join our dad, her high school sweetheart in heaven, our beloved mother, Linda, reunited with Jack early Saturday morning, January 2, 2021 . We are grateful for the compassion and passion of the staff of Warrensburg Manor who provided such amazing care for Linda during her battle with Alzheimer's.  During her time there she was a friend to all who knew her and quickly won the hearts of the staff and other residents.  Thanks to the loving care of Preferred Hospice, playing two of mom's favorite hymns, Amazing Grace and Just As I Am , Linda quietly and peacefully slipped away from this life and received her heavenly homecoming  where her Lord and Jack were waiting for her with open arms.

Linda was born in Port Arthur, Texas and moved to Springfield, Missouri where she attended Parkview High School, met Jack and fell in love.  After marrying Jack in August 1963, she began a lifetime of dedicated support and commitment to her Lord, her family, and to anyone whose path she crossed.  In 1969, Jack and Linda moved to Branson, MO with their three sons:  Scott, Alan, & Shawn.  A devoted mother, Linda spent her entire life raising and nurturing her boys with strong Christian values, instilling purpose and values that contributed to each of their chosen career paths and fatherhood with their own families.

Linda was loved by everyone!  Her giving spirit, incredible hospitality, amazing cooking and baking skills, and always....always putting others needs ahead of her own, made Linda, Branson MO's de-facto mom of many.  A dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Branson, Linda was never more in her zone than when she was excitedly sharing her faith and serving others.   From her involvement in prison ministry and babysitting to share her love, Linda's heart for service was legendary and impacted many throughout her life.

Outside of her three boys, nothing gave Linda more joy than her eight grandchildren:  Taylor & Tanner (Scott & Karen's); Bailey, Ally, & Ben (Alan & Dara's); and Riley, Paige, & Cooper (Shawn & Jill's).  They loved their grandma.  Those letters, baked goods mailed to college, feeding the ducks, trips to the candy store, favorite cereal/snacks when visiting, dress-up fashion shows,  riding roller coasters, knitting afghans, emoji filled texts, and lots of prayers are locked away memories that are cherished.  And her pumpkin bread!  The best.

Linda's legacy lives on through her family, friends, and the thousands of "strangers" who she met along her journey of life.  Many of those "strangers" ended up as overnight guests, invited to church, sharing a home cooked meal, or part of Linda's vast pen pal letter writing network, where Linda could put more words per square inch than anyone.

To honor the life of Linda, her sons have decided to delay a memorial service to the summer of 2021 in hopes of a safer environment where travel to Branson, MO will be possible.  Updates on planning will be provided via Purvis family social media outlets and through First Baptist Church of Branson.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Linda's love of children, we request contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Branson Missouri-Kids Ministries, 400 Sonshine Street, Branson MO 65616 or left in care of Sweeney-Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg.