November 2023
Adrian “Henry” Purvis Jr.
Adrian “Henry” Purvis Jr. passed away from a brief illness Wednesday November 22, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Adrian Henry Purvis Sr., and Evelyn Barrett Purvis.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janice Pittman Purvis, daughter Kimberly Ann Purvis, sister Karen Purvis Huttoe, and faithful golden retriever Quigley.
Born March 6, 1959, Henry was a lifelong resident of Cedar Grove, Georgia. He was a 1977 graduate of West Laurens High School and 1981 graduate of Mercer University. He briefly attended Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine in 1981 before being employed with Otis Engineering in the offshore oil fields of Louisiana. He then returned to the University of Georgia to finish his graduate work in 1983.
Henry retired from Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant after 38 years of service as a Senior Radiation Protection Technician. He was one of the best in the business. Henry was also a lifelong farmer and happiest when working on his farm with Janice and Kimberly.
He was a member of English Eddy Church. Henry was a devoted sports fan who loved watching the Georgia Bulldogs, NASCAR, and professional golf.
The family will receive visitors at Higgs Funeral Home in Soperton, Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 5 p.m. until. The funeral service will be Sunday afternoon, November 26, at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Pallbearers will be Justin Knight,
Tracy Butler, Patrick Pittman, Bill Barrs, John Crumpton, and David Hendrix.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Laurens County Young Farmers Association.
Laurens County Young Farmers
3692 HWY 257
Dexter, Georgia 31019
Adrian “Henry” Purvis Jr. passed away from a brief illness Wednesday November 22, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Adrian Henry Purvis Sr., and Evelyn Barrett Purvis.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janice Pittman Purvis, daughter Kimberly Ann Purvis, sister Karen Purvis Huttoe, and faithful golden retriever Quigley.
Born March 6, 1959, Henry was a lifelong resident of Cedar Grove, Georgia. He was a 1977 graduate of West Laurens High School and 1981 graduate of Mercer University. He briefly attended Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine in 1981 before being employed with Otis Engineering in the offshore oil fields of Louisiana. He then returned to the University of Georgia to finish his graduate work in 1983.
Henry retired from Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant after 38 years of service as a Senior Radiation Protection Technician. He was one of the best in the business. Henry was also a lifelong farmer and happiest when working on his farm with Janice and Kimberly.
He was a member of English Eddy Church. Henry was a devoted sports fan who loved watching the Georgia Bulldogs, NASCAR, and professional golf.
The family will receive visitors at Higgs Funeral Home in Soperton, Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 5 p.m. until. The funeral service will be Sunday afternoon, November 26, at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Pallbearers will be Justin Knight,
Tracy Butler, Patrick Pittman, Bill Barrs, John Crumpton, and David Hendrix.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Laurens County Young Farmers Association.
Laurens County Young Farmers
3692 HWY 257
Dexter, Georgia 31019
Melba Jean McKenzie
Melba Jean McKenzie, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on November 19, 2023, at the Rosedale Green Care Center. Melba was the youngest of four children, born on January 4, 1937, in Lakeland, Florida, to Ira and Ethel Vickers.
Melba was a loving and supportive wife to her husband, Don, helping him achieve his doctoral degree and pursue his dreams as a professional counselor. Over the years, she enjoyed raising her children and volunteering in the missions and youth ministries of the Church of the Nazarene. After Don's passing, Melba's caring nature and passion for nurturing others led her to become a Nurse (LPN) at Meridian Nursing Home in Lakeland, FL. She was known and loved by all for her kindness, gentle touch, and her precious smile.
Melba found joy in various hobbies and interests. She delighted in hosting and cooking delicious meals for family and friends. She was also a talented seamstress, creating many of her own and her children's clothes over the years.
Melba's unwavering faith in Jesus was the cornerstone of her life. She was a second-generation, lifetime member of the Nazarene Church, and in recent years, a member of Immanuel Church of Nazarene in Highland Heights. She had a passion for Nazarene World Missions and served for many years on local and district level missionary councils. Her dedication to spreading the love and compassion of her Savior left an indelible impact on those around her.
Above all else, Melba cherished time spent with her family. She adored her loving children: Donald H. (Sheri) McKenzie, Jr., of Hebron, John E. (Christine) McKenzie of Cincinnati, and Janet McKenzie Pope of Ft. Wright. Melba was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, who brought immense joy and light into her life.
Melba McKenzie was preceded in death by her husbands Donald H. McKenzie (1978) and Floyd Ray McKenzie (2016), as well as her parents, Ira and Ethel Vickers. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, John and Jimmy Vickers, and sister Anna Louise Pickett. While the loss of Melba leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, she leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and unwavering faith.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 27th, 2023, from 2:00 PM to the hour of service at 4:00PM, all in Ronald B. Jones Funeral Home, 316 Elm Street, Ludlow, KY 41016.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, from 10:00AM to 11:30AM at Higgs Funeral Home, 7471 Eastman Road, Soperton, GA 30457
She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Don, in Westview Cemetery, in Soperton, GA, on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2023, with a graveside service at 11:45AM.
Melba Jean McKenzie, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on November 19, 2023, at the Rosedale Green Care Center. Melba was the youngest of four children, born on January 4, 1937, in Lakeland, Florida, to Ira and Ethel Vickers.
Melba was a loving and supportive wife to her husband, Don, helping him achieve his doctoral degree and pursue his dreams as a professional counselor. Over the years, she enjoyed raising her children and volunteering in the missions and youth ministries of the Church of the Nazarene. After Don's passing, Melba's caring nature and passion for nurturing others led her to become a Nurse (LPN) at Meridian Nursing Home in Lakeland, FL. She was known and loved by all for her kindness, gentle touch, and her precious smile.
Melba found joy in various hobbies and interests. She delighted in hosting and cooking delicious meals for family and friends. She was also a talented seamstress, creating many of her own and her children's clothes over the years.
Melba's unwavering faith in Jesus was the cornerstone of her life. She was a second-generation, lifetime member of the Nazarene Church, and in recent years, a member of Immanuel Church of Nazarene in Highland Heights. She had a passion for Nazarene World Missions and served for many years on local and district level missionary councils. Her dedication to spreading the love and compassion of her Savior left an indelible impact on those around her.
Above all else, Melba cherished time spent with her family. She adored her loving children: Donald H. (Sheri) McKenzie, Jr., of Hebron, John E. (Christine) McKenzie of Cincinnati, and Janet McKenzie Pope of Ft. Wright. Melba was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, who brought immense joy and light into her life.
Melba McKenzie was preceded in death by her husbands Donald H. McKenzie (1978) and Floyd Ray McKenzie (2016), as well as her parents, Ira and Ethel Vickers. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, John and Jimmy Vickers, and sister Anna Louise Pickett. While the loss of Melba leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, she leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and unwavering faith.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 27th, 2023, from 2:00 PM to the hour of service at 4:00PM, all in Ronald B. Jones Funeral Home, 316 Elm Street, Ludlow, KY 41016.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, from 10:00AM to 11:30AM at Higgs Funeral Home, 7471 Eastman Road, Soperton, GA 30457
She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Don, in Westview Cemetery, in Soperton, GA, on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2023, with a graveside service at 11:45AM.
Franklin Kenneth Pace
Mr. Franklin Kenneth Pace, age 87 of Soperton, GA passed away on Tuesday morning, November 21, 2023 at Meadows Park Health & Rehabilitation in Vidalia, GA.
Mr. Pace was born January 11, 1936 in Toccoa, GA to James Heisure Pace and Alice Terrell Pace. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army for two terms of enlistment as a diver. He retired from NSI, Inc. after 38 years of service. Mr. Pace was Christian by faith. He was born in the middle of the Great Depression and knew the value of hard work. One of his main passions was to plant a huge garden each year and share his produce with family, friends, and neighbors. He was a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan as well as an avid fan of Bill Elliott. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his two younger brothers, Edwin and Talmadge, both of Toccoa.
Kenneth leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Joan Pace and his two sons, Dale (Mary Jean) Pace of Blue Ridge, GA and Johnny (Lori) Pace of Glenwood, GA; his grandchildren, who all dearly loved their Papa, include Chris (Tiffany) Pace and John Patrick (Courtney) Pace and their mother, Cathy Pace, all of Soperton, Harrison Pace and Hannah (Josh) Nicholson of Blue Ridge; five great-grandchildren, John Pace, Bailey Pace, Harper Pace, Haizley Vessell and Jaxson Pace. Also, Kenneth leaves behind his three sisters-in-law, Joyce Pace and Carolyn Pace, both of Toccoa and Jean Grizzle of Snellville, GA, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family of Kenneth Pace would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of both Meadows Park Health & Rehabilitation and Community Hospice for their excellent care of our Daddy and Papa. May God richly bless you!
The family will receive family and friends at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 24, 2023 in Westview Cemetery in Soperton with graveside services to follow at 11:00 AM. Brother Mark Collins will officiate.
Mr. Franklin Kenneth Pace, age 87 of Soperton, GA passed away on Tuesday morning, November 21, 2023 at Meadows Park Health & Rehabilitation in Vidalia, GA.
Mr. Pace was born January 11, 1936 in Toccoa, GA to James Heisure Pace and Alice Terrell Pace. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army for two terms of enlistment as a diver. He retired from NSI, Inc. after 38 years of service. Mr. Pace was Christian by faith. He was born in the middle of the Great Depression and knew the value of hard work. One of his main passions was to plant a huge garden each year and share his produce with family, friends, and neighbors. He was a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan as well as an avid fan of Bill Elliott. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his two younger brothers, Edwin and Talmadge, both of Toccoa.
Kenneth leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Joan Pace and his two sons, Dale (Mary Jean) Pace of Blue Ridge, GA and Johnny (Lori) Pace of Glenwood, GA; his grandchildren, who all dearly loved their Papa, include Chris (Tiffany) Pace and John Patrick (Courtney) Pace and their mother, Cathy Pace, all of Soperton, Harrison Pace and Hannah (Josh) Nicholson of Blue Ridge; five great-grandchildren, John Pace, Bailey Pace, Harper Pace, Haizley Vessell and Jaxson Pace. Also, Kenneth leaves behind his three sisters-in-law, Joyce Pace and Carolyn Pace, both of Toccoa and Jean Grizzle of Snellville, GA, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family of Kenneth Pace would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of both Meadows Park Health & Rehabilitation and Community Hospice for their excellent care of our Daddy and Papa. May God richly bless you!
The family will receive family and friends at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 24, 2023 in Westview Cemetery in Soperton with graveside services to follow at 11:00 AM. Brother Mark Collins will officiate.