Leonard Purdy

Leonard Lee Purdy Sr., 85, of Commerce, Banks County, died Monday, November 24, 2008, at the VA Hospital in Decatur.

Born on September 15, 1923, in Habersham County, he was the son of the late Roy Atlas and Lillie Shirley Purdy. He was an independent truck driver and was Baptist. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army in the European Theatre during World War II, and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. Mr. Purdy was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Clara Parker Purdy; sons, Richard T. Purdy, Douglas D. Purdy and Larry W. Purdy; and a brother, Garnett Purdy.

Survivors include sons, Leonard L. Purdy Jr., Commerce, Johnny D. Purdy, Statham; sisters, Jeanette Flournoy, Helen Vinson, Imogene Trotter, all of Cornelia, Dorothy Mae Kimbrell, Mt. Airy; brother, Leroy Purdy, Beaumont, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 29, at 11:30 a.m., at Whitfield Funeral Home with the Revs. Doyal Conley officiating. Burial will be in Yonah Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, the Habersham County American Legion Post #84, and the Rabun County DAV Chapter #15.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, November 28, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, is in charge of arrangements.