Ann Purvis Starks

Ann Purvis Starks passed away unexpectedly on December 7, 2025, at her home in Fouke, Arkansas. She was born in Hope, Arkansas on May 22, 1952, to Tom and Martha Purvis. Ann was smart and had a wicked sense of humor. She could sing, play the piano and was a fabulous dancer and was simply the life of every party she ever attended. Inside that joy was a strength that made her as tough as nails. She needed that toughness.

Ann was only 14 when her mother passed away and spent a rough three years before graduating from Hope High School. She subsequently attended UAMS two-year nursing program and was only two months away from graduation when she was stricken with mononucleosis forcing her to drop out of the program. She sucked it up, however, and enrolled the following fall and completed the entire two-year program all over again, becoming a licensed vocational nurse.

Moving to Texarkana, she worked at Wadley Regional Medical Center for some time before becoming a pediatric nurse at Collom Carney Clinic in Texarkana for several years. In a rather bizarre incident, she was attacked in the office by the grandfather of patient which subsequently resulted in the activation of rheumatoid arthritis in her back. As a result of that, she was forced to take medical retirement and endured three back surgeries following that.

Ann was much loved and adored by her family and is survived by her husband of 49 years, Charles Starks, and by her three children, Tim, Chris and Jason Starks (Chrissy) as well as her two brothers, Joe Purvis of Little Rock and Tom Purvis, Jr. of El Dorado, her much loved niece and nephew, Elizabeth Purvis of Little Rock and Dr. Benjamin H. T. Purvis of Fayetteville. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Ann asked that in lieu of flowers, folks please make a donation to their favorite charity. Visitation will be held at Texarkana Funeral Home on Texas Boulevard in Texarkana, Texas from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, with interment later in a private ceremony.