Rita C. Purvis, 76, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully after a short illness on November 21, 2019, at Elkhart General Hospital, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 17, 1943 and  is survived by her husband James Norman Purvis, 2 daughters, Kathi Purvis (Jeff Castro), Teresa Jones Barber; 2 grandsons, Zachary T. Jones, K. Tyler Jones (Haille Ritchie) as well as a granddaughter Hailey L. Barber; also 2 brothers Carl (Mary) Dawson and Sam Dawson and a sister Charlotte (Ike) Hale. She was preceded by death by her son-in-law Thomas Barber Jr.; 2 brothers Eric and Paul Dawson and two sisters Edna Steuern and Louise Gentry. Per her wishes, no visitation or services are scheduled. The family will gather privately. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children or Riley Hospital for Children. Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home. Please visit the Billings Funeral Home website to send a condolence to Rita's family.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-180-021-6584
Web: http://www.stjude.org/memorial