Paul Purdy Sr.

Paul W. Purdy, Sr.

Jackson

Dr. Paul Wayne Purdy, Sr., 73, passed away on October 1, 2014 at Trinity Mission Health and Rehabilitation of Clinton.

The funeral service will be Monday, October 6, 2014, at 12 noon at Epiphany Lutheran Church, with burial in Garden Memorial Park. The Reverend Raymond W. Gage will officiate. Visitation will be today from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Collins Funeral Home Farish Street Chapel in Jackson and on Monday 11:00 a.m. until 12 noon at the church.

Paul, the eighth child of the late Jessie and Mollie B. Persley Purdy, was born on February 9, 1941 in Weona, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Nathaniel; and one sister, Betty.

At an early age, Paul was baptized at Tschudy Grove Baptist Church in Weona, and during his teenage years, he became a member of St. John Baptist Church in Marked Tree, Arkansas. As an adult, he was a member of St. Philip Lutheran Church, now Epiphany Lutheran Church, in Jackson, Mississippi.

Paul received his elementary and high school education in Weona and Marked Tree. He attended college at Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute in Prentiss, Mississippi. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Jackson State College, now Jackson State University. Paul continued his education by receiving a master of arts in teaching from Purdue University and a doctorate of education from the University of California-Los Angeles. He pursued additional educational studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and theological coursework at Concordia College in Selma, Alabama. He was also a participant in the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute at Jackson State University.

Paul was united in holy matrimony with Mitchell Pearl Allen of Jackson, Mississippi on December 23, 1962 at St. Philip. The late Reverend Brice Thompson officiated. This marriage was blessed with two children, Paul Jr., and Michelle.

Paul's professional career exemplified his commitment to education. He directed the Campus Union and was Vice President of Fiscal Affairs at Jackson State University, and he owned and operated Purdy Enterprises, which included statewide GED training programs, real estate, and insurance. Additionally, he taught at various public schools in Mississippi—Rosa Scott High School in Madison, Mississippi; Brinkley Middle School in Jackson, Mississippi; and J. J. McClain High School in Lexington, Mississippi. In his retirement, he served as a substitute teacher in the Jackson Public Schools.

Paul was affiliated with numerous social, civic, and religious organizations. He was active in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod at the local, district, and national levels, including serving as District Treasurer. Additionally, he served on the board of Wheat Ridge Ministries and was active with the Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a dedicated member of Epiphany, including serving as a lay reader, chair of Church Anniversary committees, and coordinator and volunteer for Vacation Bible School. He was a supporter of the Democratic Party; a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; a Connecting Link of the Jackson Chapter of the Links, Incorporated; and a parent volunteer with the Jackson Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.

He enjoyed traveling, sports, and reading. He also readily engaged in discussions related to religion, politics, and history. He was an avid supporter of his children, including their educational and extracurricular pursuits at JSU Early Childhood Center, McLeod Elementary School, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Morehouse College, Washington University in St. Louis, and Emory University.

Immediate survivors are his devoted and loving wife, Mitchell Pearl Allen Purdy of Jackson; son, Paul Wayne Purdy, Jr. of Jackson; daughter, Michelle Allen Purdy of Clayton, Missouri; brothers, Franklin D. Purdy (Mary) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Floyd J. Purdy (Annetta) of San Jose, California; and Jessie S. Purdy (Cheryl) of Manassas, Virginia; sisters, Mary D. Purdy Clark of Chicago, Illinois; Amanda Purdy Tarver (Willie) of Bristol, Tennessee; and Rosie M. Purdy Willis (Willie) of Luxora, Arkansas; and sister-in-law, Cecelia Ruthena Allen Dorsey of Jackson. He was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, James and Pearl Allen; and his brother-in-law, James Allen, Jr. Dr. Purdy is also survived by a number of relatives including caring nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many wonderful, supportive church members and friends.