Dr. Paul Lionel Puryear Sr.

Dr. Paul Lionel Puryear Sr.

The Right Reverend Dr. Paul Lionel Puryear Sr., Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010, in Charlottesville, Virginia, at the age of 80.

He was born in Belleville, New Jersey, as the second son of the Reverend Thomas Langston Puryear Sr. and the Reverend Pauline Sims Puryear. He attended public schools in Newark, New Jersey and transferred as a high school freshman to the renowned Palmer Memorial Residential School in Sedalia, North Carolina. He became an ordained A.M.E. minister at the age of 18.

Paul graduated first in his class with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. While at Talladega, he served as Student Body President, served in the concert choir, and served as Chapter President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

In 1953, he entered the University of Chicago as a Danforth Foundation Fellow, where he earned a Masters of Arts in Political Science in 1956, and a PhD in Political Science, and a Doctorate of Divinity, in 1960.

Paul began his career as an assistant professor of Political Science at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, where he received tenure. In 1961, he became chairman of the Political Science Department at Tuskeegee University in Tuskeegee, Alabama. He continued his career at Fisk University, where he served as Chairman of the Social Services Division beginning in 1966.

In 1970, he became the first African-American Administrator at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he served as Provost of the Social Sciences and Law School. During his tenure at Florida State, he did a one year sabbatical at the Russell Sage Foundation in New York, New York.

In 1976, he became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he later served as Professor of African-American Studies. In 1982, he came to the University of Virginia as the Dean of African-American Affairs, later serving as Professor of Political Science and Government, before retiring in December 2003 from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

Throughout his career, Paul was a tireless fighter for civil and human rights, helping lead the integration of the beaches in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and serving as a leader in the voting rights movement in Tuskeegee, Alabama.

In 1970, he and his family single-handedly integrated the Killearn Estates neighborhood of Tallahassee, Florida. Paul was a long-term member of the American Political Science Association (APSA), published widely in the areas of political science, civil rights, and minority health, and he was a passionate and dynamic presence in the classroom, where he taught African-American studies, political science and government.

He is survived by his wife, Leah Wilson Puryear of Charlottesville, Virginia; two sons, Paul Lionel Puryear Jr. and his wife, Brenda, of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Eugene Wilson Puryear of Charlottesville, Virginia; one daughter, Paula Puryear Martin and her husband, Eric, of Los Angeles, California; one stepdaughter, Alysha Corbin of Lorton, Virginia; two nephews, Thomas Puryear and David Puryear; and three grandchildren. He also leaves behind a host of other family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1042 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paul Lionel Puryear Sr. Scholarship Fund at Virginia State University, P.O. Box 3935, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

To pay condolences to the family you may sign the guest book at www.jfbellfuneralhome.com.

J.F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.