Mr. Michael Owen Purvis

Mr. Michael Owen Purvis, 66, of Macon, Georgia and most recently Forest, Virginia passed away Monday, October 24, 2022, with his family by his side and Jesus in his heart.

Mike was born on May 22, 1956, in Macon, Georgia as the eldest son of the late Owen Junior Purvis “Papaw” and Anita Ray Purvis “Nanny”. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Peggy Jackson.

He was married to the love of his life, Gale Ann Purvis, for 43 ½ years.  In addition to his wife, Mike is survived by his son, Ryan Purvis (Christy) of Savannah, Georgia, and his daughter, Hannah Guelzo (Jonah) of Forest, Virginia.  Mike (PopPop) adored his grandchildren, Avianna Guelzo (age 6), Owen Purvis (age 2) and Jackson Ryan Purvis who he just met in Heaven. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, June Yockman, and brother-in-law, Chris (Peggy) Jackson as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Mike was an avid sports fan.  He loved his Atlanta Braves and even the Falcons.  But, like his father (Papaw), he was a Ramblinwreck at heart and his beloved team was the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  He had a green thumb and a sweet tooth.  He could plant and grow anything and there was never a cookie he walked past that he did not taste.  He was a music aficionado with a great admiration for everything southern rock.  He moved up the executive ladder with pharmaceutical sales company, C.B. Fleet Laboratories, and was successful at whatever he put his mind to.  However, Mike was never defined by his work.  His priorities were profound, but simple…God, family, then everything else.

If you had the pleasure of meeting him, you would quickly realize he was a man of few words.  Yet, his few words packed a punch.  He had unwavering integrity and his words flowed with such wisdom.  He was a great husband, father and friend to many.  Some knew him as Coach, while others called him Teacher, Servant, Friend or Prayer Warrior.

As a servant of his Lord, Jesus Christ, Mike lived a life worthy of the calling he received.  His daily walk emulated his life Bible verse (Micah 6:8), “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.”  His faith was authentic and his influence on people was significant.  Because of his genuine witness on earth, Heaven is much fuller.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Sardis-Heard Funeral Home, Macon, GA. Visitation with the family will begin at 2:00 PM.  Ryan Purvis and Reverend Ron Wallace will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant Care Adoptions in Mike’s memory. Donations can be made at www.covenantcareadoptions.com or mailed to 3950 Ridge Avenue, Macon, GA 31210.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.