Helen E. Purvis

Helen Purvis was the daughter of Herman O. Gatlin and Ruth Fraizer Gatlin. She was born April 6, 1922 in Fairmount, Missouri. The family remained in Fairmount until 1937 when they relocated to Gravois Mills, Missouri. She attended Gravois High School and graduated from Gravois in 1939. During her senior year, Helen began dating George Purvis of Purvis, Missouri. They were married October 13, 1941. During World War II, while George served in the US Army, Helen taught school until his return in 1946. The young couple moved to Independence, Missouri, after the birth of their first child, Kathryn Ruth. A second child, George Ivan (Van) II, was born in 1952. The following year, the family returned to the Lake area. They were blessed with three more daughters, Peggy Sue, Harriet Elane, and Sara Elizabeth. Michael Lee McDorman is also considered a member of the family. Helen was co-owner/operator of Gatlin’s Boat Yard and active in the Gravois Methodist Church, Gravois P.T.A.; Gravois BPW. In 1972, she sold the boat yard. She became an advocate for treatment and recovery services in the Lake of the Ozarks region. Helen served on the Boonville Valley Hope Board for many years. She was resident/manager of Cochurmin Homes in excess of 20 years, retiring at the age of 84. Helen served as secretary of the Ozarks Chapel Cemetery Board. She was one of the founding members of Unity at the Lake Church, in Sunrise Beach. Helen served as a co-chairperson of the Prayer Team at the church. Helen is survived by her son, Van Purvis of Osage Beach, Missouri; her daughters, Kathy Tankersley and husband George of Gravois Mills, Missouri, Peggy Robb and husband Randy of Franklin, Missouri, Harriet Ryman and husband John of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sara Wofford and husband Mark of Tulsa, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren, Jenifer Purvis-Dierks, Jessica Barrington, Randa Robb, Morgan Ryman, Alex Lively, Hannah Ryman, Madison Wofford, and Purvis Wofford; her sister-in-law, Rosemary Butts and husband Charles of Sunrise Beach, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George Purvis, half-brother, Burgess George “Bud” Gatlin, and grandson, Travis Tankersley. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, April 2, at the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel, with the Reverend Marge Dale officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the funeral home. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Ozark Chapel Cemetery in Laurie. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Valley of Hope Association, Ozark Chapel Cemetery Association, Unity at the Lake Church, or the Laurie Care Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.

Helen E. Purvis

April 6, 1922 - March 30, 2011

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Helen E. Purvis

April 6, 1922 - March 30, 2011

About Us

What We Do

Contact KG/Locations

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

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