Jessie Purvis touched the lives of a great many people, from Sam Walton (yes, THE Sam Walton) to the person you passed in Walmart that you never even noticed – but she did, she knew them and she spoke with them. 

One of my many memories of Jessie was a day five years ago (she was 90 years old at that time) when she was a bit more somber than normal.  As she had entered her small dining area that morning, she heard a small voice ask, "Are you ready to meet Jesus?"  She answered, "Yes."  She took two more steps and heard the small voice again, "Are you ready to meet Jesus?"  Again, she answered, "Yes."  This was a strange and disturbing experience for her, so she sat down on her walker for a moment.  Then she got up and took another couple of steps into her kitchen (it's a very small house).  She heard the small voice ask again if she was ready to meet Jesus.  Again, she responded saying, "Yes".  Then the voice said, "Spread the word."  And she did.  

Whether you were a care giver or a delivery person or a person across the waiting room at the doctor’s office, she was always ready to speak a good word for her Lord and Savior.  She was ready to meet Jesus and she wanted you to recognize him, not just as a wonderful example or as a great teacher, but as the one to whom your future belongs.

My sincere condolences to the family. I worked with Jessie at the Gasper’s Truck Plaza in Kingdom City, MO back in the 1980’s for 10 years. She was a waitress and one of the best. I worked in the kitchen as a cook mainly as a steam table server. We worked hard, especially Friday - Sunday, but we had the best time. She never and I mean never had an unkind thing come out of your friendly spirit. Her smile and laughter was contagious. What a wonderful lady!

Jessie was a free-spirited lady Always with a big smile, usually needing a big HUG or had a hug to give.  and Always a story to tell.  She would frequent the Callaway Senior Center as often as she could to visit with her friends. A strong Christian woman who shared her faith with others. Her loving attitude will live within us all as we remember Jessie. God Bless her family and to her many friends.

I have soo many wonderful memories with Jessie its hard to pick one. I miss you and Sassy so much!! You told me things and taught me things I will never forget and Im so happy to have had the friendship with Jessie that I did!  So sorry for your loss Caroline, Doug, and Marvin. She was such an amazing person to know and help out. I love and miss you so much, and even miss feeding the birds for you while Sassy ate "salad."  As I told her each time I left - After while crocodile!!!❤️❤️

She was a very sweet Christian lady.  She was a big help to my mother in her later years
& we were all very fond of her.

I have many wonderful fun memories of aunt Jessie that I will always treasure and keep close to my heart. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. 
Love you all,
Debbie Talbott

Hello, family and friends. My name is Julie Wallace, I was Ann Wallace grand daughter. 
I'm a truck driver, and 1 of my fondest memories was when I was honored to take her for a 2 week trip on the truck with me! We'll, it was supposed to be 2weeks but ended up closer to 3 weeks. At 1 point we even had the truck brake down so the company put us up for the night in a hotel. The hotel was less than favorable,  and we both slept on top of the comforters instead of inside. She told me to put a chair under the door. We prayed that night to keep us safe. 
My second memory was when I would be traveling through on i-70 and id give her a call. It didn't matter what hour it was we'd at the Dennys in kingdom city! She'd always order hot tea, and id get whatever at that time. It's still hard for me to travel passed kingdom city and not think of her. 
My fondest memory was hard for me while she was alive & she couldn't drive anymore.  But now, it even harder. I cant make up for lost time anymore.  We slowly had become distant because of that. And I urned for those times back. But she  would just say  to me try and get up here  to see her when i could. Im sorry to say; but my job never  did allow me any time to do just that. Im regretful on that. 
My job would get me close sometimes or I would pass by our meeting spot, but I didn't have time to stop. So, id tell her I can't stop now but one day I will. 
 She would just  chuckle,  and say she understood and one day we'll see each other again soon. My one day never came.; regretfully to say. We'll, I guess she's right. I will see you again. 

I'll miss you Jessie 
With all my love, Julie

Jessie was always a bright spot on my workday. We worked together on the Cedar Creek District of the Mark Twain National Forest. 
She was a dedicated worker who cared for not only the recreation areas but her fellow workers.

To the family of Jessie Purvis,
Was so sorry to see this.  My memories of her stem from when Carolyn and I were cheerleaders at South Callaway together.  She kept us straight 😆. 
I had lost touch with her after HS, but a few years ago she found me on fb and sent me a friend request.  May the Lord bless each of you and give you comfort.  
Sincerely,
Brenda

Condolences to all the family.  
Always enjoyed Jessie when she worked for the Forest Service; she cared deeply for the recreation areas she helped maintain and always had a zest for life and the people she worked with.

Jessie was a lively and kind soul.  I worked with her when she worked in the SCEP program at the USDA Forest Service.  I was driving to a work site with Jessie chattering away beside me. She kept talking and talking until I asked her to stop or I  was going to get the duck tape out of the truck tool box.  She then started laughing and laughing until I  thought she might hurt herself.  But she did quit chattering, for that ride anyway!  She and I shared a good laugh about that day whenever I  saw her afterwards in Fulton after she retired from that job. My condolences to the family.

We (first , second, and third cousins) all loved Jessie and will miss her presence terribly. There's not a time any of us can remember when she was not a part of our lives. She was fun, she was sassy, and she was kind-hearted. Jessie had a heart of gold, and she was always willing to help others, if she could.  Her life was far from easy, but she trusted in the Lord to look after her and her loved ones.  Our memories of times spent with Jessie span from the years when we were young and she would babysit us while our parents were working, to many adventures, sleepovers, and picnics on top of the cellar door at her big old home on the Mokane Road to recent times as adults. We remember her big garden, chickens, and single file "marches" down the Mokane Road (scary at times) to go visit her dad. Thankfully, he would usually drive us back home.  We remember Jessie learning to drive and parallel park with herself, another adult, and six kids in the car.  That was so amazing and yet chaotic at the same time. Nevertheless, she was determined to succeed, and she did!  Her homemade cherry pies and cakes were delicious, and she patiently taught some of us to sew and use the sewing machine. Jessie loved our parents dearly and helped them whenever needed. She was an avid sports fan and we remember watching numerous football, basketball, and baseball games with her. She was usually present at Wickell and Russell celebrations for holidays, birthdays, and family get-togethers, and for sad occasions, too.  Jessie had a wonderful memory. We could go on and on with our memories, but the important thing to know is that we all feel a tremendous loss. Jessie's absence has left a huge hole in our hearts, and we will miss her. We're praying for peace and comfort to come to her family members soon. May their good memories of the times they spent with Jessie sustain them now and in the days ahead. May God Bless them and may each one of them remember how much Jessie loved them.

Carolyn, Doug, Marvin, and all your families:
You all have my sincerest condolences.  My thoughts and prayers are with you now. Remember her laughter, her sassy self, and all the love she gave you all.  I’ll always remember her when Carolyn and I were in high school.  Those sleepovers were great and your mom was one of the girls too!   I have lots of memories and I’m sure you have more than I do.  May you be close to God now as you go through this  sorrowful time.  Sending hugs to you all!

OBITUARY

Jessie Alene Purvis

November 5, 1929 – August 13, 2025

Debo Funeral Home

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