Sylvia Rose Elias Purvis

Sylvia Rose Elias Purvis, 84, left this world and entered eternal life on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Born in Tampa, FL on April 2, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Rene and Angelica (Fernandez) Elias.

A true pioneer, Sylvia was a member of the first graduating class (1963) of the University of South Florida where she completed her degree in education. She devoted over 30 years to elementary education in the Pinellas School District, sharing her heritage and passion by teaching Spanish and other required classes. She was also an avid student of religion with a passion for the study of the Bible, spiritualism and Christianity.

She married her love, William L. Purvis after dating him for three years, in 1962, and together they raised their family. Bill’s career in retail allowed them the opportunity to travel to and live in different states, cities and towns with adventures they embraced together. They were married for 56 years.

Her hobbies included a love of playing tennis, yoga and educating herself about health and whole foods. She and Bill were a formidable pair on the court, frequently playing doubles in the different neighborhoods where they lived. They cherished and took great pride in their friendships made in the places Williams work took them.

Family and traditions were the heartbeat of Sylvia’s life. She and William made the decision to put her career on hold so she could be home to raise their children. She masterfully wove the customs of both her parents and her in-laws to create a rich tapestry of memories for her children and grandchildren. This included perfecting the Spanish dishes passed down from her mother and southern dishes passed down from her mother-in-law. Her home was especially bright at Christmas, filled with the scent of her famous orange date nut cake, oatmeal raisin, and gingerbread cookies. She didn’t just make these wonderful dishes; she taught her children, grandchildren and daughter-in-law Jennifer how to make them and preserve them for generations.

Along with her parents Rene and Angelica Elias, she was preceded in death by her husband, William in 2019.

She will be remembered and missed by her children, Steven R. Purvis, Daughter-in-law Jennifer D. Purvis, Daughter Carol Purvis, Brian Clukie fiancée, her grandchildren, William C. Purvis, Nicholas R. Purvis, Andrew T. Purvis, Heather and Benjamin Wieber, Austin Davis, and Gracie Davis. She will also be very missed by her sister Irene Betancourt, her husband Robert and cousin Doris Lacava. Sylvia, Irene and Doris were like sisters.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11am for a graveside service at Garden of Memories Mausoleum, 4207 E Lake Avenue, Tampa FL 33610.