Deborah Elaine Purvis Whittle, 61, of Tifton passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017, at her residence. Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton's First Baptist Church. Mrs. Whittle will be laid to rest at New River Holiness Church Cemetery in Berrien County. The family will receive friends Monday, March 13, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Mrs. Whittle will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
Jamie Purvis, Richie Purvis, Justin Simpson, Tony Simpson, David Simpson, Jamie Bell and James Godwin will serve as pallbearers.
Born September 24, 1955 in Tifton, Mrs. Whittle was the daughter of the late James Anderson Purvis, Sr. and Mavis Margaret "Big Nanny" Simpson Purvis. She was also preceded in death by a brother, James Anderson Purvis, Jr. She retired as a winder operator at Avondale Mills and was a member of Tifton's First Baptist Church. She loved her family very much and loved having family gatherings. She also loved to work in the yard.
Mrs. Whittle is survived by her husband, Ira Hugh Whittle of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Robert Jeffery and Cynthia Lynn Dove of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Clay Mixon of Tifton; one sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Ed Horton of Tifton; a sister-in-law, Lynn Purvis of Tifton; three brothers-in-law and their wives, Lee and Margie Whittle, Van and Jessica Whittle and Wayne and Carmen Whittle; her grandchildren, who were her pride and joy, John Jacob Dove and James Austin Dove; many nieces and nephews; and many great- nieces and great-nephews.