Mildred Charlene Johnson Purvis was born in Kansas City, MO June 5, 1936 and passed away January 3, 2014 in Springfield, MO at the age of 77. Preceded in death by her father, Charles Manion Johnson and her mother, Mildred Josephine Johnson; she is survived by her three children, daughter Debi Lewis and her husband Bret of Tulsa OK, sons Butch Purvis and his wife Kathy of Springfield, MO and Pete Purvis and Brenda Russell of Galena, MO., as well as grandchildren Philip Lyon and his wife Ashley of Murrieta, CA, Kristin Harding of Tulsa OK, Myndi Dillard and her husband Greg, and Shawn Purvis and his wife, Heidi, all from Overland Park, KS, Chris Purvis and Jessica Mumert, Springfield, MO and Taylor Paige Purvis of Springfield MO She also leaves behind four great grandchildren, Ava Diane Lyon of Murrieta, Harper Lee and Arch Edmond Dillard of Overland Park, and Ashley James Mumert of Springfield. Charlene was raised in Pittsburg, KS. During high school, she was a majorette and loved to twirl her baton at her school functions. She met her future husband, a young man from Helena, AR named Bob Purvis one afternoon at the soda fountain as he was passing through town. They later married, had three children and moved to Kansas City where they lived until 1974 when their new destination was Springfield, MO. After having raised her children, Charlene decided to finish her education, accomplishing a degree in dental hygiene from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO, traveling there daily in her powder blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo. After nearly 20 years in the dental field she retired and began her 2nd part time career with Dillard's. An avid musician, she enjoyed singing, playing the keyboard and the organ at church. She loved the arts and volunteered her spare time at the Juanita K Hammons Performing Arts Center, serving as an usher. Always thrifty, she enjoyed the shows free of charge! From Joan Baez to Counting Crows, she saw them all Our mother will be remembered for many good reasons, and we thank her for her special nature. She taught us life lessons, though we may not have known it at the time. As she left this Earth, we are certain there was a keyboard waiting for her in Heaven and beautiful songs to be sung. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Maple Wood Alzheimers Special Care Center. They took wonderful care of our mother during her final phase of life and words fall short to express our appreciation. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Maple Wood Alzheimers Special Care Center or the Juanita K Hammons Performing Arts Center. Memories, condolences, and photos may be shared with the family on Charlene's tribute page at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home. A private family service will be held at a later date.