Purvey, Norma Deon (nee Smith), born March 11, 1940, departed this life to be with the Lord on May 28, 2011 with her family at her side. Beloved wife and soul mate of William Bill Purvey Jr.; dear mother of Kimberly Ann Milton Harris (Tony Nelson), Tracey Charon Purvey Muldrow and Karen Renee Purvey; loving daughter of the late Norman and Dorothy Smith; beloved sister of Yvonne West, Emma Jean Caradine and the late James Vernon Bubba Smith; sister-in-law of Cecil Purvey, Melvin Purvey, Christine Moore, Louise Walker and Dorothy Robinson of Houston, TX.; niece of Edna Gilder; dear grandmother of eight, great-grandmother of five, dear aunt, cousin, sister friend and best friend to many.
Norma was affectionately known as “Deon”. She was educated in the St. Louis Public Schools Systems. She graduated from Vashon High School with her proud class in January 1958. She exceeded in her studies and made honor roll every year. She was awarded a full scholarship to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, but due to her close-knit family, she decided to attend Homer G. Phillips Nursing School in St. Louis, MO. Deon graduated from Homer G. Phillips on Sept. 26, 1961. Deon worked at Homer G. Phillips in the operating room as a Registered Nurse. She left Homer G. Phillips to become a Registered Nurse with the City of St. Louis’ Health Department where her position was a School Nurse in different Parochial Catholic and Lutheran Schools. Deon was later transferred to Wohl’s Clinic and then later to Florence Hill Clinic where she retired.
