Suzanne Elizabeth Purvis

Suzanne “Suzy” Eblen Purvis left her earthly home on June 17, 2025. She was born on September 23, 1948, in Birmingham Alabama to Donald Eblen and Mary Lynn Robbins. She spent her formative years in the Centerpoint-Roebuck-Trussville area. She graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School in 1966. After graduation, she attended Jefferson State Community College and went to work for Cobbs, Allen & Hall Mortgage and then Birmingham Ornamental Iron Company. She would work there until the arrival of her first son in 1974.

On March 6 of 1970, she married James “Jim” E. Purvis from Hoover, Alabama. Suzy would go on to have three sons and the family became lovingly known as “Suzy and the 4 J’s.” She transitioned from the workforce to a homemaker, advocate for her children, and entrepreneur. She was fierce when it came to fighting for the betterment of her children and diligent in finding solutions to meet their overall well-being. At the same time, she wasn’t above embarrassing them in the best possible ways. She was a unique entrepreneur that saw opportunities and ideas well ahead of their time. Suzy was known for many things, but most memorably, she was a people person.

Suzy never met a stranger and turned many of those chance encounters into lifelong friends. She loved meeting and talking to people; a trait she passed on to all three of her boys. She would fill the silence in a room and ultimately would get everyone talking to one another. She was the ultimate unintentional networker.

Suzy is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jim Purvis. Her legacy lives on through her three sons and two daughters in-law: Jamie (Rebecca), Jeff (Lora), and Jon. She is preceded in death by both her parents and her brother Don “Skip” Elben. She is survived by her siblings, Doug Eblen (Susan), Patty Lang, Randy Elben (Debbie), and Laura Forbus (Danny).

Suzy loved people, but disliked funerals. We feel like the best way to honor our mother, wife, and friend is through a party. A Celebration of Life is being planned on Saturday, August 9, @ 3:00 p.m. at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover, Alabama. Stories will be shared, pictures will be shown, and Cornbread dressing will likely be served. More details will follow later, but please plan accordingly.