MRS. LILLIAN RYALS DIXON PURVIS, age 83, of Eastman, GA, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Dodge County Hospital.
MRS. LILLIAN RYALS DIXON PURVIS, age 83, of Eastman, GA, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Dodge County Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Tuesday, May 9, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. James Dupree officiating, with interment in Cottondale Baptist Church Cemetery.
Lillian was a life-long resident of Dodge County, born at home in Rhine, Georgia on June 21, 1939. Lillian was a 1957 graduate of Eastman High School and a retired Licensed Master Cosmetologist, a career spanning more than 50 years. She was a past member, School teacher and Treasurer of Eastside Baptist Church where she and her late husband David, raised their children. In later years, she attended Zebulon Baptist Church to be near her children, grandchildren, as well as her brother Tommy and her childhood friend and late Sister-In-Law, Velma Yancey Shouse-Ryals. Lillian’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. She could be found almost any time in her salon with family and friends. Most of her clients were her dear friends of many years. She could not bear the thought of retiring and letting her friends and family go anywhere else. She continued to work with the ones she loved until she was 80 years old when declining health would no longer allow her to do so. Lillian was the daughter of the late Essie May Myers Ryals-Harrell and Thomas Curtis Ryals, and was preceded in death by her first Husband of 34 years, David Carswell Dixon, Sister, Gloria Annette Dixon, and Brother, John William Ryals.
She is survived by her Husband of 29 years – Clinton Purvis of Eastman; Daughter – Beverly Dixon Allen of Eastman; Son – Curtis Dixon of Clarkston, GA; Step-Sons – Al Purvis (Andi) of Tavares, FL and Scott Purvis (Dianne) of Eastman; Grandchildren – Danielle V. Allen, Samantha Etienne (Matt Moore), Kimberly Haskins (Kyle), Allison Hulett (Matt), Scott “Clint” Purvis, and Austin Purvis; Great-Grandchildren – Kasyde Etienne, Aryaina Etienne, Roxie Moore, Adrianna Haskins, and Aubrey Haskins; Sisters – Janette Hardeman of Eastman and Dale Hulett of Rhine; Brothers – Thomas E. “Tommy” Ryals of Eastman, Bobby Joe Ryals (Lutricia), and Gary Ryals (Cecelia), both of Rhine; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law – Dennis Dixon, Ronnie Purvis (Elsie), Egert Purvis, Hal Purvis, A.W. Purvis, Randall Purvis, Blondie Lee, and Shirley Sheffield; Aunt - Evelyn Collins of Gray; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and her dear friend of over 50 years, Edith Sheffield.
The family may be contacted at the Purvis residence, 82 Troy Rd., Eastman, GA, 31023, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 6:00PM-8:00PM Monday, May 8. In addition to flowers, contributions can be made to the charity of the Donor’s choice.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.