Betty Wallace Purvis

Betty Wallace Purvis, 92, passed away, Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Mama was raised in the Howards Mill Community of Moore County.  She went to Beulah Baptist Church and accepted Jesus as her savior at a young age.  She met the love of her life at Highfalls High School and she married Vernon Purvis, July 1, 1950.  Together they raised 6 kids and loved and spoiled many grand and great grand kids. After marriage, Mama became active at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and served there in many ways for over 75 years. She was an encourager to many that served in ministerial ways throughout the years.  

Mama worked in the Moore County School system as a Library Assistant for over 30 years.  She loved her work with the students and they loved her.  Her favorite years were at North Moore High School.  

Cooking, sewing, quilting, and travelling were some of her favorite things.  She will always be remembered especially for her fried apple pies, brownies (which she ALWAYS cooked when she knew one of the sons were coming home), Christmas fruitcake, fried chicken, and potato salad.  Mama could put a meal on the table quickly for a crowd, without prior notice.  Through the years, she loved to quilt, and all the family members have multiple quilts she handstitched.  Grandchildren were known to bring fabric in and ask, “Grandma, can you make me a quilt for one of my friends?”, and of course, she would…same with request for Fried Apple Pies for a youth group or a school group.  Mama loved her family and would do anything she could for all of us.  

Mama loved to travel with Daddy and their lifelong friends, Bobby and Virginia Hill, and they had many adventures through the years.  She always liked travelling with family too, after daddy’s death, and she continued to go at every opportunity.  She was always up for a good adventure, even dog sledding in Alaska on one of the great-grands 8 year-old trips.  

Most of all, Mama will be remembered for her deep love and her beautiful smile.  

Betty was the daughter of the late Coy and Sallie Wallace and was preceded in death by her brother, Newton Wallace; son-in-law, Donald Cheek.

She is survived by  sons: Larry Purvis (Debbie), Robbins, NC, Nelson Purvis (Beth), Salemburg, NC, Clay Purvis (Laurie), Robbins, NC; daughters: Linda Cheek Robbins, NC, Darlene Cheek, Robbins, NC, Grace Large (Mark), Knoxville, TN; grandsons: Brian Purvis (Keri), Chattanooga, TN, Ben Purvis (Karina), Bennett, NC, Kevin Purvis, Robbins, NC, Jason Cheek (Tina), Lynchburg, VA, John Duguay (Jennifer) Asheboro, NC, Steven Duguay, NC,  Daniel Purvis (Hannah), Dunn, NC, Brandon Large (Christy), Knoxville, TN; granddaughters: Amy Vuncannon (Jimmy), Star, NC, Monica Agema (Justin), Robbins, NC, Daisy Garner (Danny), Robbins, NC,  Gina Tibbs (Josh), Scottsdale, Arizona, Kendal Lillard (Kevin), Radford, VA, Haley Purvis, Robbins, NC; great grandchildren: Sam Purvis, Rachel and Jacob Vuncannon, Emma and Molly Cheek, Rosalynn Agema, Allen Duguay, James Duguay, River and Griffin Tibbs, Grayson Lillard, Elias Large. 

Funeral service will be 3 PM, Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, with Pastor Vic Hill and Pastor Mark Large officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 2 PM, and at other times at the home.

Kennedy Funeral Home is serving the Purvis family.

Condolences online at pinesfunerals.com