Essie Purdy

Essie Paramore Purdy SUFFOLK - Essie Paramore Purdy, 99, passed away Dec. 20, 2009. A native of Washington, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Alonga Hodges and Annie Harrell Hodges and was also predeceased by her husbands, William A. Paramore Sr. and James Purdy, six sisters, and one brother. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her daughters, Dorothy Jones of Driver, Va., Lois King of Fallen, Nev., Geraldine Matthews of Suffolk, and Linda Smith (Johnny) of Hertford, N.C.; a son, William A. Paramore Jr. (Betsy) of Suffolk; one stepdaughter, Dixie Holt of Tampa, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, with the Rev. William Paramore Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Holly Lawn Cemetery. Friends may join the family at the funeral home today from 7 to 8 p.m. for visitation and other times at the residence of Geraldine Matthews. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation Center in Suffolk.