Doris Bowen Purdy

Growing up in Charlotte, Doris attended West Mecklenburg High School and graduated with the class of 1968. Shortly after graduation, Doris was inspired to attend beauty school and she ran an in-home beauty shop with her mom for several years. In her late twenties she made a career change and went to work for the City of Charlotte’s water department, now called Charlotte Water, where she remained a loyal employee until retirement in her mid-50s.

Doris was long term attendee and valuable contributor at Thrift Baptist Church in Charlotte. She delighted in every opportunity she got to work with the children there, especially during Vacation Bible School, and was always put in charge of decorating and cooking for events alongside her sister, Pat.

Cooking was Doris’s passion and it became a big theme in her life; her drive and desire to see others happy was frequently materialized by feeding the people around her. Often this was in the form of a fresh, hot meal, but she also enjoyed buying vegetables at the local farmer’s market and canning them for the vendors there - something she was quite skilled at.

Aside from cooking for others, she also loved doing crafts, especially with Pat and Pat’s grandchildren, whom she considered as her own. As neighbors, they did this often, and around the holidays they kept up their favorite family tradition of baking.

Doris was so close with her family that they were her built-in best friends as well. She treasured all the time they spent together, especially all their trips to the mountains and the beach.

Though Doris was ever committed to helping others, her family affectionately awarded her the nickname “Salty” as a tribute to her rather strong-willed and stubborn nature. Despite this, “Salty” always managed to stay as sweet as can be.

Those left to honor Doris’s memory include her loving husband of over 50 years, Dan Purdy; her daughter, Leslie Hadaway (Nick); her son, Brent Purdy and his wife, Britt Caudill Purdy; her sister, Patricia “Pat” Stewart (Chuck); her brother, Terry Bowen (Liz); her nieces, Melissa Wortman (John) and Gina Offerman (Casey); her great nieces, Adelyn Wortman, Avery Wortman, and another due in February; her mother-in-law Irene Purdy; her sister-in-law, Beth Purdy; as well as numerous cousins, church members, other family members, and friends.

Doris is now reunited in Heaven with her parents, Lloyd and Dorothy.

Friends are cordially invited to join the Purdy family for a visitation from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 18th, 2021 at Thrift Baptist Church, 8415 Moores Chapel Road in Charlotte. The memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 PM with Pastor Gene Lathan officiating. There will be a reception at the church following the services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doris’s name to the charity of your choice.