Ollie Valena Lane, age 89, of Grambling, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Born on Valentine’s Day in Mansfield, Louisiana, Valena was the beloved daughter of Ollie Marie Powell Purvis and Wilbur T. Purvis, Sr.
An extraordinary woman, a phenomenal leader, and a beacon of kindness—Valena Purvis Lane lived a life defined by grace, generosity, and unwavering devotion. Born on a day that symbolizes love, she embodied it fully, pouring compassion into every corner of her life through service, faith, and community.
Valena pursued her passion for education with determination, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Grambling State University and later attaining an MBA in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University.
She served as an educator in the Webster Parish School District and Past President of the Grambling Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. before transitioning into leadership roles that shaped her community for decades. She became Executive Director of the Grambling Housing Authority in 1980, where she faithfully served until her retirement in 1997. Her joyful signature greeting—“Greetings!”—became a cherished hallmark of her presence. Guided by James 1:2-3, she met every challenge with faith, resilience, and warmth, believing that joy was both a gift and a calling.
Her tenure with the Housing Authority was marked by transformative accomplishments: securing vital grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, expanding public housing units from 18 to 98, and acquiring 80 Section 8 vouchers. She also procured a 15-passenger van to transport residents to church services, educational programs, and even unforgettable trips to Disney World for families who had never left their hometown.
Valena continued her impact as Executive Director of Community Coordinating Counseling, Inc., where she organized joy-filled experiences for youth and seniors alike. From local events to international excursions—Dubai, Egypt, Hawaii, New York, Martha’s Vineyard, and the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama—Valena’s vision was global, but her heart remained rooted in local service.
For over six decades, Valena was a vibrant pillar of Grambling, Louisiana—a city she loved deeply and served faithfully. Whether volunteering for public officials or uplifting underserved communities, her impact rippled far and wide. Her tireless advocacy for youth—especially those facing economic hardship—led to opportunities that changed lives. She organized transformative trips to the state capitol in Baton Rouge, exposing young minds to the workings of government and planting seeds that blossomed into future careers in public service.
Faith was the cornerstone of her life. Valena first united with Corinth Baptist Church in Mansfield, LA, and later joined New Rocky Valley Baptist Church in Grambling under Pastor Julius Sumler. There, she remained an active servant in youth programs and the annual Vacation Bible School, carrying on a spiritual legacy passed down through generations.
Valena Purvis Lane will be deeply missed. Her laughter, her kindness, and her unwavering love leave behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations. Though we mourn her passing, we celebrate the radiant life she lived—and we carry forward the light she so generously shared.
She is survived by her devoted sister, Thelma Lee; her cherished sister-in-law, Irene Purvis; and her dear aunt, Rita Purvis. She also leaves behind a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members, all of whom were touched by her spirit and strengthened by her love.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lawerence Jack Lane; her parents, Wilbur T. Purvis, Sr. and Ollie Marie Powell Purvis; her siblings Doris P. McCall, Joyce P. Sudds, Evelyn P. Wright, Wilbur T. Purvis II, Velma P. Hollie, and Israel S. Purvis; and in-laws Louis McCall, Jeffrey Sudds, Robert Wright, Shirley Purvis, Prella Hollie, and Phillip Lee.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 AM.
Ollie Valena Lane will be laid to rest at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71108-5813, in Memories East; Lot 1034; space 2.
Special thanks to Pastor Julius Sumler, Jerry Brooks, Nelda Baisy, Valerie White, and the New Rocky Valley Baptist Church, her sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, the funeral staff of Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, CCC, Amedisys Hospice Care, Spring Lake Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, and the many friends and family members who have shown love and support.
Our hearts will forever carry her memory.
