Mrs. Lena Puryear, 80, was born in Yadkin County on January 19, 1931, to Richard Jarrett and Geneva Stone. She transitioned into her eternal life on Saturday, September 10, 2011.
Lena grew up in East Bend, NC and attended the Yadkin County High School. She retired from Davis Department Store after 30 years of diligent service. She was married to Thomas Lester "Pete" Puryear for 62 years. This union produced two wonderful children: Thomas Gary (Mary) Puryear of the city and Patricia Louise Puryear (deceased).
She was a lifelong, faithful member of Benbow Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in East Bend where she served as Sunday School teacher, Church Secretary, Choir member, Usher Board member, Missionary Society member, and the Hospitality Committee member to list a few.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter; and brother; George W. Glenn, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory a devoted sister, Minnie J. Ervin (Jakay, Sr.); son and committed daughter-in-law; four grandchildren, Dayna Wade (Kevin), Carmen Puryear, and Nolan Puryear all of the city, and Katrina Gray of Greensboro, NC; two great-grandchildren, Asia and Ananda Jackson; three nieces, Rosa V. Ervin of the city, Ms. Cheryl Glenn of Duncan, SC and Mrs. Veletia (Alphonse) Smith of Fort Mill, SC; a nephew, Jakay Ervin, Jr.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at 3pm Thursday, September 15, 2011 at Benbow Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, 453 East Main Street, East Bend, NC 27018 with the Pastor Joshcline J. Henry, officiating. Interment will follow in the Benbow Chapel AME Zion Church Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 2pm until 3pm on Thursday at the Church.
The family will leave from the residence of the son, Gary, 3578 Thornaby Circle, Winston-Salem at 1:00PM in route to the church.