Strike up the band and assemble the choir, another soldier has come home. Rev. B.D. Purifoy, 88, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday morning April 12, 2022 at his home in Franklin, LA. He’ll battle no more, for he’s won his wars.
Born in Olden, TX on November 5, 1933, Bro. Purifoy wasn’t parented in a Christian home. At the age of 12, he was brought to a One God, Jesus Name Pentecostal church in San Antonio, TX as a Sunday school “bus kid.” In the latter part of 1945, he was baptized in Jesus Name and received the Holy Ghost the following Easter season. Truth was instilled in his heart at an early age from the faithful works of saints who had a love and compassion for the lost…and for a mischievous little boy. He often spoke about running barefoot, playing around the Alamo; not aware that he would, one day, serve both his country and the Army of God, as an enlisted soldier. How fitting – The Lord called him home, the week of Easter. Another warrior hears the call, he’s waited for so long.
Bro. Purifoy felt his call to the ministry at 18 years of age. While on a preaching tour, with his Bible College, to Sulphur, La, he met the love of his life. When asked if he was smitten with her, he would always reply “I was love-struck then and I still am.” Soon after, he proposed and they were married on September 5, 1953. Five months later, B. D. Purifoy was drafted into the United States Army where he served in Germany, post Korean conflict as a Med Aidman. Following his military discharge in 1956, he worked in construction as a carpenter by trade. He later became a deputy tax assessor for Calcasieu Parish.
Throughout the next 71 years, no matter what secular job he held, his heart and passion was always the Kingdom of God. He simply referred to it as “Busy doing the Lord’s work.” As pastor of three churches, over the course of 44 years, his perpetual love for people connected him in ways that one could never forget. According to 2 Timothy 2:24, Bishop Purifoy exemplified a heart of a servant and embodied the Fruits of The Spirit in Galatians 5:22,23. “We’ll treat ya so many good ways, you’ll have to at least like one of them” was commonly spoken from his lips, yet always meant from his heart. Bro. Purifoy’s desire to give of himself, as well as monetarily, was immeasurable. He gave boundlessly, to missions, and took care of those in need. He was a friend to the friendless and nurtured the nameless. He was an encourager to the discouraged. A fervently praying man – full of faith – believing that, with God, all things are possible. No matter the test and trial or valley he walked through, there was always a smile on his face from the joy within. No matter how dark the days, he would say “Just Keep On Keepin’ On!” We know he moved some mountains, but never left his knees.
Bobby Dale was known as a doting Husband, Dad and PawPaw. His love for his Sug was undeniable. He had a favorite red headed daughter, a favorite brunette daughter and a “perfect” grandson. He was proud to tell you about his grandkids and great grandkids; and lit up when they called or FaceTimed. He had a heart of gold whether you were his next of kin, the stranger on the street, or a longtime friend. Mr. Milton Gaudet and Mr. Bart Hale were just that – longtime friends. Mr. Louis, our yard man, was a cut above the rest. The family extends our appreciation to them, for their friendship and willingness to always lend a helping hand. To those who knew him well, believed he could sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo and understood “No Grass…grew under his feet.” He was known for his quips and a favorite of many was “Be what you is and not what you ain’t, cause if you is what you ain’t, then you ain’t what you is.”
His motto was “If we rest, we rust; so work, we must.” He felt like “if you’re gonna kill time, then you might as well work it to death.” No doubt, he’s keeping Heaven busy, waiting for us to arrive so he can put us all to work.” Make sure Heaven’s table has room for at least one more; sing a welcome song, another soldier has come home.
B.D. Purifoy was preceded in death by his mother and father.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 68 ½ years Nell Purifoy; daughters Cynthia Witt and Coletta (Greg) Coy of Franklin, LA; former son-in-law, Terry E. Witt of Ville Platte, LA; grandchildren, Terry Dale (Deana) Witt of Moss Bluff, LA, Wendy Dixon of Kent, OH, Tangela Witt of Kent, OH, Miranda (Christian) Gross of Florence, AL; great grandchildren, Breanna, Hailey and Alayna Witt, and Aniya, Elsa and Asher Gross.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at The First Pentecostal Church of Franklin, LA beginning 5:00 PM followed by the Home Going Service at 7:00 PM officiated by his son-in-law, Pastor Greg Coy, Rev. Jim Lee, Rev. Scott Wilson, Rev. Steve Pinell, with the message given by his grandson, Rev. Terry Dale Witt.
Burial will be held in Green Oak Cemetery in Kinder, LA on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 1:00 PM. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be James Moore, Jake Boutte, Beau Martin, Rev. Lee Spikes, Pat Prados, Nathan Falu, and Christian Gross, with honorary pallbearers being Willis Moore, Eric Trahan, Chad Concienne, Lil’ Beau Martin, Baylon Concienne, and Grant Tipton.
The family would also like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to Franklin Home Care and Acadian Hospice Care; especially Geni, Doriene Amanda, Megan, and Dana who cared for him with such compassion.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.