Thomas Franklin "Tommy" Purvis, Sr.

            Thomas F. Purvis, Sr.

Tommy Purvis received his heavenly promotion early Wednesday morning December 6, 2017 after receiving tender care at Emanuel Medical Center. He was the son of Thomas Eugene Purvis “Gene” and Myra McDaniel Purvis Cobb born four miles out from Bartow in Jefferson County. Tommy is survived by his high school sweetheart Edna Daughtry, daughters Judy Rowell (Lee) and Susan Barrow (Brandon), and son Tom Purvis (Heidi). He also survived by sister Patricia Purvis Poole (Curtis) of Louisville, and brother Lonnie Purvis (Jeanne) of Bartow. He married Edna Daughtry June 3, 1963 at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Louisville. Tommy graduated alongside Edna from Louisville Academy High School and the University of Georgia in Athens in 1964, with bachelors and masters in accounting. Tommy also attended Berry College in the work/study program for 2 years before transferring to the University of Georgia and participated on the track team as a pole vaulter. Upon graduation, Tommy worked in Gainesville, Georgia with a CPA firm before moving to Swainsboro to work at Watson & Reed, Certified Public Accountants. He would later start his own accounting practice and build an office across from First Baptist Church on Main Street in Swainsboro. Besides serving his clients, Tommy loved serving the church. He served as church deacon, chairmen of stewardship, church treasurer, RA leader, church bus driver, and church training teacher at First Baptist Swainsboro. He loved being in his Steadfast I Sunday School class and Brotherhood. Tommy was active in the community and professional organizations including Exchange Club serving as past president, the Georgia Society of CPA’s serving as past president of the local chapter, and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. His son brought him countless hours of joy on the football and baseball fields and basketball court while attending David Emanuel Academy and remodeling a farm house. After his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Syndrome Tommy retired after forty-nine years in Public Accounting. He continued working diligently on his pine trees on his beloved “farm” and occasionally assisting his wife in her estate sale business. An avid outdoorsman, he received his lifelong love of quail hunting from his father, Gene Purvis, whom hosted field trials and trained bird dogs. Tommy loved God and became a baptized believer in Jesus Christ September 6, 1954 at eleven years of age at Old Bethel Baptist Church in Jefferson County. His life was one of service, humility, sacrifice, love, and integrity.

            Funeral Services will be at the First Baptist Church Swainsboro 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 8, 2017 with Reverends Larry Compton and Paul Leigh officiating.

            Interment will follow in the Eastbrook Cemetery.

            The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, December 8, 2017 at First Baptist Church Swainsboro.

           Pallbearers are Jacob Wheeler, John Rowell, Bret Barrow, Benjamin Barrow, Brody Barrow, Thomas Purvis, III, Marty Ray.

           Honorary Pallbearers are Swainsboro Exchange Club and Steadfast I Sunday School Class.

           Should friends desire memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Swainsboro Building Fund, PO Box 828 Swainsboro, GA 30401 or Bible Believers Fellowship Church, 410 West Main St. Swainsboro, GA. 30401.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com

            Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Thomas “Tommy” Franklin Purvis, Sr., 75, of Swainsboro.

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