Obituary of Annie Elizabeth Puryear

Annie Elizabeth Taylor was born on September 9, 1921 in Cumberland, Virginia to the parents of Samuel Langhom Taylor and Ida B. Taylor. She was one of two children born to this union. Her brother Samuel (Billy) Taylor preceded her in death. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and attended various churches in New Jersey and here in Virginia. Her family moved from Virginia to New Jersey where she attended school and later met and married James A. Puryear, originally from Buckingham County, Virginia who had also moved to New Jersey. Out of this union (3) children were born, Patricia A. McCoy Ida J. Miller-Puryear, Richard AI Puryear. Annie, who everyone fondly knew as "Missie" received her nickname from her father at birth. He called her his little "Missie" and the name stayed with her throughout her life. Missie moved back to Virginia after the birth of her (2) older children to help take care of her ailing father. She remained there with her family and commuted back & forth to New Jersey for employment. After the separation from her husband, she never remarried, but enjoyed life with her children, family and friends. She loved people and enjoyed traveling. She spent time with her Mother's family in Boston, Mass, but wherever she traveled she always returned home to Virginia. Missie never met a stranger and loved to talk , once a person met her they never forgot her. She loved flowers and could tell you the name of most anything you asked. She also loved clothes and took pride in dressing up to look good when she went out. Later in life she moved to Chicago to live with her children, but her heart was always set on returning home to Virginia. In Oct.2008 she returned home with her daughter Ida and enjoyed her last days with family and friends. After a brief illness Missie made her transition from this life on Sat. March 26, 2011. She leaves to cherish her loving memories her children: Patricia Ann. McCoy, Ida J. Miller-Puryear, Richard AI Puryear (Bettye) (3) stepchildren, James Puryear (Charlene) Herman Puryear (Mary) and Linda L. Puryear .. She will also be missed by her (13) Grandchildren and (21) Great Grandchildren. And a host of cousins and friends.