Brenda Purser | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Brenda Jones Purser, age 61, a resident of Chocowinity, NC passed away on October 4, 2015 at Vidant Inpatient Hospice to join her husband and two beautiful sons in heaven after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

    Brenda was born in Beaufort County, NC on May 19, 1954 to the late Julius Vance Jones and Elsie Lewis Jones, who survives. She was a graduate of Aurora High School and later graduated from Beaufort Community College. She was married to Charlie Purser, the love of her life, on December 14, 1972, and he preceded her in death on December 12, 1998. In her early married life, she was a mother and homemaker and later was a hostess and representative for Home Interiors and Gifts for 20 years. After the death of her husband, she pursued her dream of owning her own florist, Brenda's Florist, which she owned and operated for 15 years.

    Brenda was a loving and giving soul, always helping anyone in need and gave unselfishly of herself to others. She also loved spending time with her family, and especially her grandson, Carter. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, floral arranging, and fishing. She also loved traveling, including trips to the beach and the mountains, especially Maggie Valley, and she and Charlie enjoyed summers at their home on the Pamlico River. Her favorite place was the home she shared with Charlie, their ranch affectionately called the "Ponderosa" where she and Charlie hosted trail rides and horse racing with the Chocowinity Saddle Club for many years prior to his death.

    In addition to her father and husband, she was also preceded in death by her two sons, Jodie Harding Purser and Charlie Jay Purser; and her brothers, Julius Frank Jones, Timmy Jones and Terry Jones.

    In addition to her mother, she is survived by her sons Daniel Christopher Purser, Gregory A. Purser and Everett Duncan, all of Washington, NC; her grandson, Carter Haze Purser; her brother, Joey Jones of Blounts Creek, NC; her sister Barbara Jean Jones "Jeannie" of Blounts Creek, NC; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

    A celebration of her life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Springhill, the home of Greg Purser and Everett Duncan at 115 Van Norden Street in Washington, NC with Pastor Ola Forbes and The Rev'd Joseph Malcolm (Sonny) Browne, III officiating. A reception will follow the service at Springhill and special music will be provided by her cousin, Roy Lewis. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations and other times at Springhill. A private burial will be held at the Lewis Family Cemetery in Blounts Creek, NC officiated by Pastor David Linton. Jo Taylor, Diane Jackson, Brenda Wilson, Diane Overton, Lynn Wiggins, Mert Lee, Darlyne Rosairo and Juanita Buck will serve as honorary pallbearers.

    The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to friend and caregiver, Diane McRoy Jackson for her loving care of Brenda. We also wish to thank Dr. Inzerillo, Doogie Mason, Nicole DaVia, PA and all the staff at the Marion Shepard Cancer Center; Dr. Nall and Melissa Swain; all the staff at Vidant Beaufort Hospital; Dr. Lee, Sharon, Linda and Taneshia; and staff at Vidant Inpatient Hospice for their love and care.

    Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, 1209 Brown St., Washington, NC 27889; Wayside Presbyterian Church, 7093 NC Highway 33 E., Chocowinity, NC; Edward Christian Church, 23 Academy St, Edward, NC 27821; or Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 332, Chocowinity, NC 27817.