Gerry Purvis, 78, of Meridian, Mississippi, died on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. He was the founder and owner of Purvis Business Machines, a cornerstone of the Meridian business community. Through his dedication, integrity and innovation, Purvis supported countless local enterprises and became a respected leader in both business and service. A 1977 President's List graduate of Meridian Junior College, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as an electronics technician in Korea before entering the business office systems field. After Purvis's service, he became the service operations manager for Monroe Business Systems in Savannah, Georgia. In 1979, with determination and a vision for excellence, Purvis founded Purvis Business Machines out of the trunk of his car. Over the decades, he grew his company into a thriving 14-employee operation. Purvis became a Business Technology Association (BTA) volunteer in 2009 when he joined the BTA Southeast board of directors. He became president of the Southeast district during the 2013-14 fiscal year and then served as the BTA Southeast representative on the national BTA Board of Directors during the 2014-15 fiscal year.

Purvis was an active and generous supporter of Meridian Community College (MCC). As a member of the MCC President's Roundtable since 1998 and president of the MCC Foundation, he helped guide the organization through a period of significant growth. He established the Gerry Wayne Purvis Scholarships, which have provided opportunities for MCC students pursuing education in business and technology since 2009. Seventeen scholarships have been awarded. Purvis's longstanding commitment to higher education was further recognized when he was inducted into the MCC Hall of Fame and earned Toshiba's "Elite Achiever Classification" in 2008 for excellence in leadership and service. Beyond his business and philanthropy, Purvis was known for his love of music and the arts. A lifelong supporter of local bands and creative initiatives, he believed deeply in uplifting those who brought beauty and expression to the community he loved. Purvis will be remembered as a self-made businessman, a devoted family man and a pillar of the Meridian community — someone who started small, served his country, built something lasting and continually gave back.

Purvis is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Betty James Purvis; daughter, Jennifer Purvis Walton, and son-in-law, Jason Walton; and granddaughter, Lily McCall Walton — along with a host of nieces, nephews and extended family who will cherish his memory. Purvis was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Purvis and Elsie Sentell.

Pallbearers will be Don Lucas, Wesley Lewis, David Hammond, Bill Beddingfield, Terry Woolridge, Stephen Mimbs and Matthew Hearn. Honorary pallbearers will include Larry Gilson, Scott Swearingen, Chet Estep, Andy Belyew, Owen Ray, Mark Lambert, Michael Howe, Richard Knott, Michael Monge, Michael Nash and Greg Bruce.

Services were held on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home. A private burial followed at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Meridian Community College Foundation (601-484-8612) in memory of Gerry Wayne Purvis.

Online condolences may be shared at robertbarhamffh.com.