Janet Mitchell Purvis died at St. Catherine’s Village, Madison, Mississippi, on July 30, 2018. She was born in Jackson, Michigan on May 23, 1923, daughter of John Mark and Hazel Laxton Mitchell of Leslie, Michigan. She attended the Leslie schools and was graduated from Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) in the education of exceptional children. Jan taught in Battle Creek, Michigan and later became an instructor in the special education department of EMU.
On July 28, 1946 Janet Mitchell married Dr. George Purvis of Georgetown, Mississippi, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. After a three year residency at Campbell Clinic in Memphis, the family moved to Jackson where Dr. Purvis established a medical practice in orthopaedic surgery. As a homemaker, wife, and mother, Jan sought to establish a home of sanctuary and hospitality for all the family to grow in love and their personal gifts. The experiences there were her greatest joys.
As a mother of four sons, Jan was active as a leader in the local, city and state Parent Teachers Association for over twenty years. She served on the Mississippi Advisory Committee for the 1960 White House Conference on Children and Youth, and on a public schools committee for Mayor Russell Davis. Jan was a past board member of the United Way, the YWCA and the Magnolia Speech School, and she served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for 8 years.
She was committed to God through Christ, His Church and the extension of justice and mercy in the world. Her local church was Northminster Baptist Church of which she was a charter member. A past chairperson of the Northminster Body of Deacons, she taught Sunday School and was active in the life of the church she loved.
Her loyalty and support of numerous organizations and cultural activities included fifty years in Pleiades Literary Club and the Great Books Discussion Group, bridge clubs, Church Women United, and interfaith groups. Through these many personal contacts and good neighbors, lasting friendships were formed. Some grew into family travel groups, sharing of vacations, and various celebrations.
Blessed by sixty-five years of marriage to her beloved George, Jan was preceded in death by him in 2011. A grandson, John Robert Purvis, and her four brothers, William, Norman, John Marvin, and Richard also preceded her in death. Survivors are sons George, III (Nancy) of Beaverton, Oregon, John (Gayla) of Jackson, Mitchell (Dixie) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Joe (Janie) of Jackson. Surviving grandchildren are Kevin Purvis (Victoria), George N. Purvis, Patrick Purvis, Alex Purvis (Mary), Spencer Purvis, Anna Frame (Andy), Anderson Purvis (Brandi), Rob Purvis (Melissa), Jake Purvis (Ann), and Mary Mitchell Todd (Will). Great grandchildren are Annabelle and Eleanor Purvis, Cate and Jack Purvis, Sybil and Davis Frame, Andy and Mack Purvis, Nash and Gibby Purvis, and Liza and William Todd.
The family wishes to express deep gratitude for the kind care provided by all the caregivers through the years, both at home and at St. Catherine’s Village.
Visitation will be held at Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 4th. A worship service with inurnment will follow at 12:00 noon on Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of Northminster Baptist Church, 3955 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, Mississippi, 39211, or to a charity of your choice.
