Purvis L McBride, Jr was born on March 18, 1952 in Gulfport, MS to the late Purvis (LG) Sr. & Christine Dawson-McBride. He was educated in the Gulfport School System and graduated in the class of 1970 from Gulfport East High, he also attended Perkinston Jr. College and Alcorn State College. His first son, Ron McBride was born to his high school sweetheart Ouida E. Evans. At an early age he attended Riley Chapel Methodist Church, years later he united with the First Missionary Baptist Church Handsboro, where he was a faithful member until his death. He was President of the Handsboro/Mississippi City Civic Organization, where he worked tirelessly to restore the Knights of Pythias Hall and obtain a Historical Marker at the Hall.

Purvis was well known throughout the community for his many acts of service. We became members of the Gulfport High School booster club in 2000 when our son Purvis McBride III made the 9th grade basketball team when they played basketball at B. Frank gym. He was in the concession stand the Saturday before his death.

Purvis was employed by the Gulfport Job Corp Center for several years, and after an accident he went out on disability for a short time. He was appointed by Dr. Loretta Marks as Unit Director of the Forest Height Boys & Girls of Gulfport, which he held until hurricane Katrine. His passion was working with children, and it has shown with all the love and support over the years. He later was employed by CTA & First Student.

He was ordained as a deacon on the sixteen day of October 1994, an ordination that he took very seriously.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Purvis & Christine Dawson McBride, Sr., sister Gayle McBride and brother Ricky McBride. Maternal grandparents, Robert Dawson and Nellie (George) Freightman. Paternal grandparents, JB McBride & Ecelner Moncrief McBride, uncle Robert Dawson, Richard Farris & Aunt Joyce Freightman and other aunts & uncles.

Survived by his wife Jacqueline (Potts) McBride, Sons, Ron (Tilithia) McBride, Columbia Maryland, Purvis (Shene Woods) McBride III, Kristian McBride, of Gulfport, MS, Godson, Treymaine (Shannon) Lewis, Patrick (Heather) Lewis sisters: Diana McBride, Aurelia Marie McMillon, Shelia (Freddie) Hall of Gulfport MS, Lydia (Gregory) Cotton of Lithonia, Ga., Jeanetta Delcour, TN Brother, Micheal (Bridget) McBride of Gulfport. A bonus daughter Arielle Sankey. Grandchildren, Ryan, KaMari, Bailey, Keagen, Karson McBride, Mia Dedeaux, & Mikel King. Cameron & Jessie (Duce) Lewis and Skyler Lewis. Uncles, John Earl (Edna) McDonald, Jerone Freightman & John Phil (Connie) Freightman & Kevin (Shelia) Freightman. Aunts: Carrie McBride Gulfport, MS, Rosie Johnson, MO, Carolyn Ferris, Inglewood, CA. Lois Cook of Biloxi, MS; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.