Obituary of Jessie Mae Purdy

Jessie Mae Jackson Purdy was born on February 21, 1926, to the late Jessie Jackson and Johnnie Louise Trotter Jackson in Orange Lake, Florida. Mrs. Purdy was the oldest of three siblings. Jessie Mae attended Marion County School and Lincoln High School in Ocala, Florida. In 1948, she graduated as a Registered Nurse from the first black nursing school in the State of Florida, the George A. Brewster Hospital and School of Nurse Training. She continued her education at Florida Junior College in Jacksonville, FL where she received an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. On January 14, 1949, Jessie married Walter O. Purdy. Through this union they were blessed with four (4) beautiful daughters: Cynthia, Karen, Kimberly and Ka’Sharon. Jessie Mae began her nursing career with Duval Medical Center, then University Hospital, Shands Medical Center, and St. Catherine’s Nursing Home. Her outstanding nursing caregiving spanned over 50 years in Jacksonville, Florida. Jessie Mae was a member of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., a professional organization for registered nurses and students. Jessie Mae was known in the community for mending broken bones, patching up kids, passing out Vitamin C, adjusting attitudes of rambunctious kids, and sometimes just delivering a hug. Jessie Mae was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 40 years. She was devoted to her God and remained faithful until her death. She used those years to share with others the good news about the true God Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ. Like Jesus, Jessie Mae especially enjoyed telling others about the wonderful promises our Father will bring about by means of His Kingdom. (Matthew 6:9, 10) This was one of her most treasured assignments. Even after she became physically limited in her public witnessing, she faithfully continued to share Bible truths with others by means of letters and phone calls. She found worshipping Jehovah at meetings to be encouraging and attended weekly meetings on Zoom. Her family supported her by connecting her to these meetings as her health declined. God’s promises were real to Jessie Mae. She especially looked forward to enjoying her family and friends in Paradise on earth (Psalm 37:29). Jessie Mae passed away Friday, May 24, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Walter O. Purdy; and her daughter, Karen Purdy Buckman. Jessie Mae Purdy leaves a legacy of love to her three daughters that cherish her teachings and memories: Cynthia E. Purdy, Kimberly Purdy Baker, and Ka’Sharon Purdy Hose (Lamonte I); grandchildren: Walter (Angela), Jarrett and Bert Buckman, Rashard Baker and Lamonte Hose II; great grandchildren; Shyheim, Tamerah, Walter, Kaley, and Jayden; great-great grandchildren: Cameron, Leam, and Autumn; devoted nieces: Evelyn Simms, Lorene Jackson, Rose Jackson, Bernita Bailey-Newsome; bonus children: Carolyn and Jerome Byrd; and a host of other nephews, nieces, loving relatives and friends. Celebration of Life for Jessie Mae Purdy will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 12NOON in the A.B. Coleman Memorial Chapel, 5660 Moncrief Road. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 from 2PM-5PM at the mortuary. Interment will be held in the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11:30AM.