Margaret Myrtis Carter Purvis was born January 29, 1926 in Racepond, Georgia. She went home to be with the Lord on January 30, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. Born to Emma Agnes Dyal and John Baptist Carter, she was the youngest of ten children; all whom preceded her in death. Margaret was a farm girl from Georgia who relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in the early 1940’s with her sister; she has been a resident ever since. She is married to Bryan Purvis.
In early life Margaret worked at Jacksonville’s historic Kress Five and Dime, Jacksonville Shipyard, Swishers International Cigar Co. and the Jacksonville Bus Station. When she was putting herself through college to become a stenographer, she was recognized and asked to take the position as an executive secretary for a local moving company. Margaret and her husband Bryan eventually purchased this company and renamed it B&M Moving and Storage; a small business that serviced relocation needs nationally and internationally. The family operated the company for over 30 years and in 1990 the Purvis’ sold the business to enjoy retirement.
Mr. & Mrs. Purvis are a God-fearing couple; they were baptized in the Jordan River in The Holy Land many decades ago. Margaret loved to cook for everyone; no one ever left her house without taking a bite to eat. She was active in and cooked for North Jacksonville Baptist Church and Central Baptist Church for many years. Margaret had a passion for food-canning, making homemade wine and at the holidays she would make her famous bourbon balls and oyster stuffing. She enjoyed tending to yard work, even maintaining her own lawn up until the age of 90. Margaret was a very feisty and independent southern woman who lived a healthy active life. She loved all things the color red and got the most relaxation from skinny dipping. Her greatest fulfillment in life was embracing her large family. Margaret “Granny” played an important role in all of her grandchildren’s lives and even looked after her great-grandchildren during their tender years. She was definitely the pillar of her family. Her ways of life will carry on through loved ones survived by her. May she now have eternal peace. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 5:8
Mrs. Purvis is survived by her husband Bryan Purvis; five children, Damon “JR” Purvis, Robert Purvis (Deb), Patricia Pallone (Jim), Susan Dyes (Alan), Steven Purvis; thirteen grandchildren, Lisa Floyd (Inman), Joseph Dyes (Mizar), Christopher Draughon (Sheila), David Purvis, Michelle Orr (David), Jennifer Staples (Chris), Sherry Forrest (Tommy), Karen Schlueter (Scott), Steven “Craig” Purvis, Stephanie Purvis, Casandra Purvis (Mike), Bryan “Jacob” Purvis, and Britney Purvis; twenty-one great-grandchildren, Olivia Gomez (Kevin), Brandon Draughon-Miller, Kiley Draughon, Katelynn Crooms, Michael Schlueter, Samantha Staples, Amanda Mosley (John), Taylor Collins, Aria Ahlstrom, Maegen Forrest, Cecilia Forrest Green, Jacob Forrest, Joshua Forrest, Emily Forrest, Lillian Forrest, Isabella Forrest, Evalyn Forrest, Charles Forrest, Christi Floyd, Aaron Floyd and Brandon Floyd; two great-great grandchildren, Harrison and Lucas Mosley; one half-brother, Calvin Johns; one sister-in-law, Margaret Hawley (Ken); numerous nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog, Little Bit. She was preceded in death by parents, Emma and John Carter; siblings, Addie Dowling, Inez Todd, Arthur Carter, Thelma Hilton, Ivey Carter, Geneva Carter, Alton Carter, Leon Carter and Mildred Thomas.
The family would like to thank Community Hospice and Palliative Care and St. Vincent’s Hospice Hospital for all the care they provided for Margaret in her last month of life. We couldn’t have done this without them.
Inurnment will be at 11:30 AM on Saturday, February 23, 2019 in Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207.
Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens, The Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 737-7171.
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