Florence Hardy Purdy's Obituary
Florence Hardy Purdy, 98, died Easter Sunday morning, April 12, 2009, in
Austin, Texas. She was born February 24, 1911, to Henry Florence Hardy and Genie Alice Strickland Hardy in Henderson, Texas.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Walter B. Purdy, and her great-granddaughter, Lisa Foster.
In 1932, she met and married her husband Walter in Henderson. In 1942, Florence and Walter moved to Orange, Texas, and there they raised their four children. As a young mother, she enjoyed volunteering in her children's elementary school and was active in several civic organizations. She had many friends and wanted everyone to call her "Flo" or just "Purdy."
Later, Florence became a buyer for J.C. Penney in Orange. After her husband's death, she established the popular Merry Day School that usually had a waiting list for young preschool and kindergarten children. Lamar University education majors came and observed her curriculum and teaching skills.
Moving to Houston in 1969 to be near family, Florence became an award-winning realtor in the Spring Branch/Memorial area, enjoying a long and immensely satisfying career of almost twenty-five years.
Florence led a full and enriched life and was loved by her large family. She often said that her favorite role was being a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great- grandmother. She is survived by her four children, Pat Hall, Annabeth Mann and husband John, Dr. James Purdy and wife Marilyn, and Nancy Kissinger and husband J.C. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Services are entrusted to Rader Funeral Home in Henderson, Texas,
903-657-7570, 800 Kilgore Dr., Henderson, TX 75652. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 18 at 4:00 pm followed by a graveside burial at Davis Cemetery. On-line registration is available through raderfh.com
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