Purvis Waters

PURVIS WATERS, 80

Feed Mill Supervisor

HAINES CITY—Purvis Waters, current resident of Haines City, passed away Friday, January 12, 2007, at his home of complications of lung disease (C.O.P.D.).

Purvis was born April 19, 1926 in a rural area of Lake Butler, Florida. As a young man, searching for work, Purvis moved to the Wauchula area and not only found work but found a long time love, Velma. They married in April 1945 and began a life together. When World War II escalated, Purvis was called by the Army and had to leave for Japan shortly after they married. He served with the first occupational troops to enter Japan as a Japanese interpreter. Upon returning home, he and Velma moved to the Polk County area with their daughter, Gayle. They continued to live in Lake Alfred while working with Minute Maid Groves Division for 29 years. Purvis had a great love for music and has mastered the art of playing guitar, which laid the foundation for joining a gospel singing group the “Voices of Faith” singing tributes to the Lord for anyone who would listen. The family then moved to the Lake Wales area and resided there for 37 years. He took a position at Orange Co. of Bartow and was there for 28 years (this made him 75 years old and still working a full week when he retired.) During this time he started purchasing old classic cars to be restored. He was showing his cars weekly with pride and enjoyed the company of others who had the same endeavor. Purvis always had a smile on his face and a love of people that made everyone love him back. His family always came first. His grandsons and his great-grandchildren could always bring a smile to his face. He was surrounded with love and he returned it three fold. Purvis was a member of the Lake Pierce Baptist Church of Lake Wales.

Preceded him in death was his parents, Oscar and Florence Waters, brothers, Edgar and Manis Waters, and sister, Edith Dixon. Survivors include his beloved wife of 62 years, Velma Waters; daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Joe Turner of Haines City; brothers and sister-in-laws, Elmer Waters of Winter Haven; Jackie and Evelyn Waters of Auburndale; Pete and Jean Waters of Auburndale; sisters, Opal Watson of Mulberry; Carol Harris of Winter Haven; grandsons, Scott and Dwayne Turner and their families; great-grandchildren, Nick, Misty, Branden, Samantha and Lauren.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at the funeral home with Pastor Morgan Taylor and Pastor Walter Strohmaier officiating. Interment will follow at the Lake Wales Cemetery.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.