Sharon Purdie

Weber City, VA - Sharon Purdie, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday Morning (September 21, 2012) after a brief illness. Sharon was a beautiful person inside and out. She was not only humble but she always put others first. Sharon had a remarkable way of finding the simple joys in life whether it was having dinner with family and friends or a quiet day on the river. She had a true passion for life and was an inspiration to all those around her. Her demonstration of faith was evident in everything she did. Sharon was born at home and grew up in Abbs Valley, VA. After graduating from Pocahontas High School, Sharon went to work as a bookkeeper at Limestone Dust. While working at Limestone Dust in Bluefield, VA, Sharon attended Bluefield State to obtain a teaching degree in Special Education. After receiving her degree, she taught at Dudley Primary as a special education teacher in Bluefield for 10 years. Sharon’s true passion in life was helping children who needed a little extra attention. She had a special way of communicating with special needs children and was able to make a difference in their lives in so many ways. After 10 years as a special education teacher, Sharon pursued a graduate degree in Education Administration from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. After receiving her master’s degree, Sharon held positions as Assistant Principal and Special Education Director in two school districts in Southwestern Virginia including the City of Norton and Dickenson County and Forsyth County, GA. Sharon’s most recent endeavor after her retirement was working as Director of Curriculum at Norton City Schools in Norton, VA. Donald and Sharon met by happenstance in Bluefield Virginia at a school crossing. Donald remembers Sharon was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. They dated for several months and were married on February 27, 1989. Sharon and Donald lived in Bland County for a short time and moved to Big Stone Gap where they lived until this past year when they moved to Hiltons VA. Sharon is preceded in death by her parents Edgar and Grace Murphy; and two brothers, Jimmy Murphy and Porter Murphy. She is survived by and will be greatly missed by her loving husband Donald Purdie; son Jeffrey Roark and wife Vicki of Bridgeport, WV; son, Matthew Purdie of Atlanta, GA, and a grandson, Michael Roark of Fairfax, Va. She is also survived by her sisters and their spouses, Edith Parker Miller, Doris Passan and Carol Spencer, all of Bluefield, WV. Her brothers and their spouses; Curtis Murphy of War, WV, Ben Murphy, San Antonio, TX, Bill Murphy and Dave Murphy of Bluefield, VA. Calling hours will be held on Monday (September 24, 2012) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Scott County Funeral Home, 2060 Hwy 23N, Weber City, VA. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel at 7 pm with Pastor Jim Wells, officiating. Following the service; Mrs. Purdie will be transported to the Carven-Shires Funeral Home, 3431 Coal Heritage Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. The family will receive friends from 1 – 2 pm on Tuesday (September 25, 2012). A funeral service will be in the funeral home at 2 pm. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bluewell, WV. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Stan Botts, Jr., Tim Blankenbeckler, Barry Tate, Paul Bolling, Jack Kennedy, Aaron Williams and Dr. Jeff Comer