He was the oldest member of Slate Hill Primitive Baptist Church. He was a lifetime member of the Morristown Rescue Squad. He served as a Deacon, traveled and sang for the Lord for many years. He worked hard and provided for his family. He was the owner was West End Service Center and Towing and Purkey Wholesale Florist.
The things he enjoyed the most was camping with his family, fishing, farming, watching wrestling and sitting on the porch eating a Kern’s donut.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jake Purkey; parents: Isaiah and Zella Purkey; sisters: Shirley (Donal) Ridley, Joan (Wayne) Drinnon and Jill Dalton.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Imogene Purkey, and fur baby, Ginger. His children: Phyllis (Bill) Samsel and Debbie (Jim) Cunningham. His grandchildren: Billy (Shonda) Samsel, Amanda (Alden) Payne, Caylynn (JB) Samsel, Heather Overbay, Dennis Peterson, Jason (Taylor) Pierce, Casey Purkey, Celsey (Johnny) Hodge, Calley (Ray) Purkey and Jaden Purkey. His pride and joy, that he always had to be the first to hold- 30 great grandchildren. And to make the 5th generation, that he was so proud of, his “great-great” Lakley Jarnigan, and another on the way that he nicknamed “Doodle”. Brothers: Jack (Judy) Purkey, Harry (Debbie) Purkey; brother-in-law: Howard Dalton; sister-in-law: Nadine (Junior) Russell and a host of family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Stubblefield Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at Slate Hill Baptist Church, Mooresburg, on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Jamie Jarnigan, Rev. Larry Miller, and Rev. Lee Wayne Grubb officiating. Graveside and interment services will be Friday, July 31, 2026 at 11:00 am in Hamblen Memory Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Billy Samsel, Dennis Peterson, Jason Pierce, Anthony Lakins, Bobby Turley and Jeff Holt. Honorary pallbearers are Noah Samsel, Jaylen Samsel and Gabe Pierce.
