Barney S. Purvis, 72, of Ocilla, Georgia, died Tuesday, November 22, 2005, at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Friday, November 25, 2005, at the Ocilla Baptist Church, with Rev. Gerald Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in Brushy Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7 until 9, Thursday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mr. Purvis was born July 6, 1933, in Berrien County, Georgia, to the late James M. and Mary Elizabeth Brantley Purvis. He was a 1951 graduate of Ocilla High School, attended South Georgia College and was a graduate of Valdosta State College. Mr. Purvis taught Biology and Chemistry at Irwin County High School from 1955 until 1970 and at Valdosta State College from 1970 until 1986. He was named Star Teacher in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968 and 1970. In 1969 he was selected as Most Outstanding teacher of the Southeast United States and Most Outstanding Biology Teacher in 1968 and 1969. He was named to Who’s Who Among Young Educators in 1970. Mr. Purvis was an accomplished cook and floral arranger. He was a loving brother, who helped and cared for the shut-ins, elderly and sick. Mr. Purvis was a member of Ocilla Baptist Church.
He is survived by three sisters and a brother-in-law: Mrs. Homer (Myrtle) Purvis of Alapaha, Mary Jim & W.B. Roberts and Sarah Nell Purvis, all of Ocilla and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Purvis was preceded in death by 2 sisters and two brothers.