Donald Lee Purchase, Sr. was born August 9, 1929 in Future City, Illinois to James and Berthen Purchase (Spurlock). He was the six of fourteen children. Donald received his formal education through the Future City Public School System. Later he relocated to East Saint Louis, Illinois where he met and married Inez C. Johnson on October 2, 1949. To this union nine children were born; Gwendolyn (Jerome), Robert (Lillie), Donald Jr. (Carolyn), Donna (Jerry), Craig (Debra), Samuel (Lola), Jacqueline, Deborah, and Christopher. His wife of 44 years, Inez, and his son, Robert, preceded him in death.
Donald accepted Christ as his Savior with Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church in East Saint Louis, Illinois under the Reverend James Wings. He was baptized along with his daughter, Donna.
Donald served in the United States Army and the Korean War. After leaving the military, he was employed at Hunters Packing Meat Company, Bell Laboratories, Granite City Steel and later St. Louis Steel until his retirement. Donald was known as a diligent and hardworking man. In his leisure time he enjoyed reading, carpentry, and gardening. He won several awards for ‘Best Yard’ in his neighborhood for many years! He loved to share his fruit and vegetables with everyone! Though his pride and joy was spending time with his children and his grandchildren.
He departed this life on September 24, 2018 in Saint Louis, Missouri. He is preceded in death by his parents, James & Berthen Purchase. his in-laws, Samuel & Lela Johnson (Carpenter), beloved sisters, Geraldine Douglas and Theresa Washington, beloved brother, James, sisters in law, Gracie, Margaret, Anne, Marcella, brothers in law, Harry, James, and William (Fischer).
He leaves to cherish his memory his children, thirty one grandchildren, sixty eight great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. His siblings, George, Orville, Johnny (Monica), Alfred, Wendell (Janie), Mary, Lois, Barbara, Berthen Ellen, Darlene (Robert), and sister in-law LaVerne and a plethora or nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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