Funeral services were held on 05/06/2023 at Bayview Baptist Church, with a burial at Riverside National Cemetery. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary.
Mattie Gordon was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on March 15, 1929, to Emma Gordon-Roberson and Percy Knowlen. She was the eldest of two, Eloise Peters and Ruth Niler who preceded her in death. She was called home to rest Saturday, April 22, 2023. As a child she would spend time between North Carolina and Georgia. Mattie received her formal education at Anthony Bowen Elementary School in SW Washington, DC, and Elizabeth Randall High School.
She found favor with Sister Florence who gave her a job working in the kitchen for special diets at Providence Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital.
While out with her aunt, a tall handsome sailor, named Wilbert Purvis spotted her and swept her off her feet. He eventually sent her a ticket to meet him in San Diego, California. They were married and the newlyweds headed for Oakland, California, as her husband would soon be sent on deployment.
It was in Honolulu, Hawaii where she met the late Bishop W.H. Reed and under his ministry, she accepted the Lord as her personal savior. As a member of New Era Community Church, she served as a young church mother. She also held Vacation Bible School in her home.
In 1963, they left Honolulu, Hawaii and transferred to San Diego, California where her husband retired a few years later. She attended Jackson Memorial Church.
She leaves to remember her life; Percy Fairley of Washington, DC., Diane Roberson-Lacey (Ronald), Wilbert (Carol) Purvis, Renee (Tony) Ryan, Maureen Foster of Cumming, GA., Ronald (Patsy) Purvis of Menifee, CA., Dana Purvis of Hemet, CA., Jon Jay Purvis, Lisa (Anthony) Blair of Bristol, VA., Robert (Donna) Purvis, Jacqueline (Reginald) Lawson, and Kimberly Purvis. Grandchildren (45); great grandchildren (61) and great-great-grandchildren (7); nieces: Ruthie Niler-Flythe, Yvette Niler-Jones, Brenda Niler, Yvonne Peters-Rick, Cynthia Niler- Walker, Marie Antoinette Davis; and nephews: Carlton Formey, Andre Peters, Keith Niler.
Proceeding her in death are husbands, Wilbert Purvis, Sr. and Elder Harvey Jessie; daughters: Emma Jean Herbert, Debra Purvis, and Angela Purvis; and sons: Gregory Purvis, and Michael Purvis.
