Mrs. Valerie Andrea Purry

July 22, 1961 - August 25, 2020

Dr. Valerie Purry was born to Hazel Morrison and Willie Coleman in July 22, 1961 in Oakland, CA. Upon her birth mother's transition Valerie and her twin brother Douglas became welcome treasured additions to the family of Willie Lee and J.R. Richie Sr., making the family complete with two daughters and four sons. Unexpected to us but not to the Lord, Valerie made her heavenly transition O at Merit Health Rankin Hospital in Brandon, Mississippi. Valerie was proceeded in death by her parents Hazel Morrison/Willie Coleman, Willie Lee Richie/J.R. Richie Sr., older brother J.R. Richie Jr, Uncle Edward Purry and Mother in love Geraldine Lowe (Jimmy Lowe). She attended Oakland Public Schools, Merit Community College, Laney College and Cal State Hayward University. Valerie has been working towards her heavenly home for a long time. She was one of the last of her Sunday school class at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church to accept Christ, at about age 12. Valerie also attended Saint's. Rest Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor James Lawson, Jr. She wanted to sing in the youth choir of which her Mother was the director. However, you could not sing in Sis. Richie's choir unless you were a Christian. Valerie, at age 12 she and her friends rode their bikes to convalescent homes to sing to the residents and bring them a ray of sunshine. After attending church camp at 15 they came to the Women's Missionary Society and taught them about sentence prayers. She attended Faith Tabernacle House of Praise in Oakland, CA under the leadership of Pastor Farrell Rule. She worked as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, bible study teacher, and prayer warrior. Valerie met her high school sweetheart and love of her life Keith Purry when she was 16 while working at McDonald's restaurant. They married when they were 21 in Oakland, CA. God blessed their union with four children Andrea, Joel, Jasmine and Richard. She worked as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader, Administrative Assistant at World Saving and a loan processor at Allstate Insurance in the Bay Area before the family relocated in 1995 and built a home in Brandon, Mississippi. In Mississippi the family joined with St. Paul Church of God In Christ where she was an integral member. A lot people shared the following:" Valerie was etched in the DNA of St. Paul COGIC under the leadership of Dr. Jesse J. Kelly. Serving in St. Paul Youth Department, Women's Department, Choir Department, Prison Ministry, Outreach Ministry and so many more". Another wrote “Through her ministry, she taught girls and young women how to carry themselves with respect, grace, dignity, integrity, poise, and beauty. She taught us to trust in God and never lose the faith. Through her marriage, she showed us why it was important to wait on God for that tailor-made someone God had chosen for us to spend our lives with." She served as the Mississippi Southern District, 2nd Chairlady of the Jackson District and The Jackson District AIM Coordinator. Valerie attended Jackson State University (JSU) in 1998. She was hired to do office work and many were impressed with her intellect. Working her way up to Administrative Assistant/Office Manager for the History Department, she was recognized for her Professional and Dutiful Service to the Department of History and Philosophy. She also received the Excellence in Customer Service Award and Staff Excellence Award from JSU. She worked at JSU for over 22 years faithfully. Valerie was an adjunct professor. She will be greatly missed by students, faculty, and staff. Knowing the value of education, she attended Jackson State University earning her Bachelors of Science in Criminology (2001), Masters in Criminology (2005) and Doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning (2015). Valerie is a Mother that loved her 4 children and 7 grandchildren, they were her hearts. She was a God mother to many, friend, spiritual advisor, teacher, missionary, cheerleader, and so much more. She loved everyone. Valerie was the earthly personification of unconditional love. She was never afraid and never too busy to pray for you and with you at a moment's notice. She knew how to keep a person confident. She gave to people near and far. Valerie was humble, sincere, loving, kind, highly intelligent but never boastful and would speak to anyone on any level. A Tree Is known by Its Fruit. Matthew 12:33 "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit". Valerie's labor and fruits were good. She was a person of great compassion, as evidenced in her work in prison Mississippi Correctional facility, women and children's aids ministry, and homeless outreach. Valerie was involved with overseas missions and ministry. Valerie went on a mission trip to Africa in 2010 with Crossgate Baptist Church of Brandon, MS. On March 10, 2017, Dr. Valerie became an Ordained Missionary through Open Bible Church International in Queens, NY under the leadership of Bishop Joshua Gaco, Overseer and Founder. She loved nothing more than sharing Jesus and won many souls for the Lord. Valerie's faithfulness to God promoted her to her heavenly home. May we so live to enjoy that day when the Lord may say to us, as he has to Valerie, "Well done, though good and faithful servant: though hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Hers is a life that was well lived. The lyrics from one of her favorite songs is "When you hear of my home going don't worry about me”. Valerie's destiny is sure. She would want you to search yourself and be sure, of where you were going to spend eternity. Valerie is survived by her husband of 38 years Elder Keith Purry. Her children Andrea, Joel (Annamisha), Jasmine Andrews (Marcus) and Richard. Grandchildren: Amirah, Joshua, Cameron, Jada, Ryder, Serenity and Ryan. Siblings: Christine Richie Myers, Benjamin Richie (Sandra) Douglas Coleman (Deborah) and Robert Richie (Michelle). Special Mention: Auntie Beverly Daniels, Auntie Connie Harrison, Auntie Edna Purry, Uncle Junies Purry (Bobbie). A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, God-children, other relatives, friends, co-workers, and colleagues that also grieve the absence of her physical presence but rejoice in her home going.