Martha F. Purvis

Martha Francis (Smith) Purvis, 79, passed away peacefully in her home on May 28, 2023 surrounded by her loved ones and the music she enjoyed.

Martha was born in Walker County, Alabama to Mandy Lorraine (Davis) Smith and James Cranford Smith of Walker County, Alabama on October 18, 1943. After Graduating, she decided to till new ground and come up north with her sister Jean on a bus for work to Elkhart, Indiana. She married the love of her life, John E. Purvis after her sister set her up on a blind date and sparks flew. They later married in 1962, starting a family and being a homemaker.  She became an amazing mother to 3 amazing kids, Chris, Connie and Stephanie Purvis.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, John E. Purvis of Sharpsburg KY, her youngest daughter, Stephanie J. Purvis Smolinski and grandson, Justin Purvis and her parents, Mandy Smith and James Cranford Smith of Jasper, AL; siblings, Inez (Lyman) Mullinax, Lillian (Hubert) Perry, J.C. (Tommie) Smith, James D. (Betty) Smith, Evelene (Mack) Duvall, Donalene (Willie) Willings, Jean Smith, Jack (Norma Jean) Smith, Alfred (Susie) Smith, Lorraine (Donald) Garret and nephew, Mike Smith.

Surviving are 2 children, Connie (David) Ritchie (Purvis) and John Christopher Purvis, brother, Ray (Carolyn) Smith; 7 grandchildren, Mandy Purvis, Katy Ritchie, Cody Purvis, Brooke Ritchie, Jesse Smolinski, Alyssa Ritchie, Riley Smolinski and 1 great grandchild, Kash Blessing.. 

Martha loved planting flowers and gardening. Her pets, especially her blue heeler, Razzie and loved all her cats and chickens too. Martha also knew how to whip up tasty southern comfort foods. She enjoyed watching history, paranormal and YouTube, criminal I.D. in her later days delightedly eating snickerdoodles and enjoying a cold can of sprite spending time in the company of her family, loved ones and pets having heart felt and funny conversations. She knew how to leave you with a smile.

She had a feisty spirit and was very intuitive with an understanding nature. Her love for her family was eternal. She was a true joy to listen to her beautiful voice and her laughter. She was a true blessing in all of our lives and touched the lives of so many. She will be deeply missed.

“Be good to each other”

A Funeral Service for Martha will be on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 12:00pm at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514. 

Visitation will be from 10:00am to 12:00pm an hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to ASPCA or the Humane Society of Elkhart County.

For those that wish to share a memory, leave a condolence or order flowers may do so at www.billingsfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha F. Purvis, please visit our floral store.