Mrs. Nancy Coline Taft Purvis, age 83 of Nicholls, passed away peacefully from this life into her eternal home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday afternoon, May 22, 2019. Nancy Coline was born in Atkinson County to the late Joe and Cindy Rosetta Smith Taft on March 29, 1936. She was 13 years old when her mother passed away and she had to assume the responsibilities of the home and help raise her siblings. She was a faithful wife and a loving mother to her children. Indeed she was the woman of Proverbs — a virtuous woman whose price was far above rubies.
Nancy Coline Purvis was preceded in death by her husband, Billie Ray Purvis; a daughter-in-law, Kaylene Marie Gale Purvis; a grandson, Nicholas Alan Purvis; her parents, Joe and Cindy Rosetta Smith Taft; stepmother, Juanita Royals Taft; brothers James Edward Taft, Chester Royals and Little Johnny Taft; sister Little Rosa Lee Taft; a special sister-in-law, Maxine Purvis Hitchcock; and special aunts and uncles Wilburn and Doris Taft, and Roan and Maebell Taft.
Survivors include: Children: Donnie Ray Purvis of Homerville, Karen Purvis of Douglas, and Michael Purvis of Nicholls; grandchildren Justin Ray Purvis and wife Dana of Hahira, Kelci Adona Nolan of Douglas, and Abram Sidney Nolan of Bridgetown; great grandsons Kadyn Sidney Nolan and Kamdyn Kohler Nolan, both of Bridgetown, and Jacob Brown and Lacey Brown, both of Hahira; brother Fred Taft and wife Beth of Pearson; sisters Frances Taft Carver of Hinesville, Debra Ann Taft Stevens and husband Steve, Sara Taft Adams and husband Kenny of Douglas, Alma Ray Royals Anderson of Homerville, and Linda Royals Burkhalter of Brunswick; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The funeral service will be Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Atkinson County with Rev. Bobby Fussell and Rev. Ed Gilliard officiating. The interment will follow in Purvis Cemetery near Bridgetown. Mrs. Purvis will be placed in the church at 1:00 P.M. to lie in state until the funeral hour.
The family will receive friends Saturday, May 25, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Ricketson Funeral Home.
Ricketson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.