Mary Louise (Porter) Purvis was born in Humble, Texas on Wednesday, March 31, 1920, to the late Lon and Estelle (McDonald) Porter. She passed away peacefully at Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at the age of 98.
Louise graduated from Reagan High School, Houston, Texas in 1937 and later from Houston Business College. She married Liley Paul Purvis on July 3, 1940 in Houston, a union blessed with two children, Gordon and Suzanne. Louise was a charter member of Tallowood Baptist Church, and was a bookkeeper working for insurance agents, Creekmore & Jacobs and R.B. Bowen & Co. In retirement, Louise and Liley enjoyed traveling the United States, attending 18th Seabee Battalion reunions, Shriner events, Telephone Pioneers luncheons, the Fort Bend Opry and square dancing.
In addition to her parents, Louise was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Liley Paul Purvis in 1993; sister, Lucille Sparks and brother, Albert Porter. She is survived by her son, Gordon Purvis and wife Frances of Hemphill, Texas; daughter, Suzanne Kossow and husband Robert of Council Bluffs, Iowa; grandchildren, Ashleigh Purvis, Sara Wallin, Sandra Wallin and Samantha Wallin; four great-grandchildren, and by her niece, Cathy Metz and husband Don of Deer Park, Texas.
Family and friends will gather and celebrate this wonderful woman’s life during a graveside service at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17th at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway in Houston, with Reverend Dr. Duane Brooks of Tallowood Baptist Church, officiating.
For those desiring, our family would appreciate a donation in Louise’s name to:
Shriners Hospitals for Children — Galveston
Attn: Donor Development Office
815 Market St.
Galveston, TX 77550
409-770-6853
Or online at:
https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/galveston/ways-to-give
