Neal Vernon Purvis, 87, of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Gail Laffitte Purvis, died July 12, 2022, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

          Born in Savannah, Georgia he was the son of the late William Colie Purvis and Ruth Radford Purvis.  He graduated from Savannah High School in 1952.  Afterward he joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1955.  He later attended Armstrong Jr. College and graduated in 1973 receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration.  He was also a graduate of the Georgia's Realtors Institute, specializing in commercial real estate.

          His professional history includes 25 years in the banking industry, including the original Savannah Bank & Trust Company which later became First Union National Bank.  He served in various capacities within the bank including manager of the Consumer Real Estate Department and, also as a commercial lending officer.  He retired in September 1998 as Vice President.  From 1962 to 1965 he was credit manager for Southland Oil Corporation, a subsidiary of Signal Oil and Gas Corporation. From 1965 to 1978 he served in various management positions within Lynes Realty and Mortgage Company and from 1974 to 1978 as President and CEO.  He was also President and CEO of several of its subsidiaries, including Lynco, Inc., Office Building Investment, Inc., Realyn, Inc. and Plantation Hill Inc. 

          Over the years, he served on several civic and community organizations.  He was a member of the Savannah Lions Club for 25 years and served as President in 1979/80.  He also served on the board of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Savannah, Inc., and was chairman of the Signatures of Savannah Committee. He took great pride in the restoration of the Forsyth Park Fountain, one of the SOS’s committees major accomplishments.

          His greatest joys were his music collection and sharing it with his beloved grandchildren. His family loved listening to his tall tales around the dinner table and he will be deeply missed.

          Neal is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gail Laffitte Purvis; son, Christopher Purvis (Shannon); daughter, Cynthia Hudson (Carlos); grandchildren, Meagan Jones (Drew), Alex Hudson, Landry Purvis, Reece Purvis, and Carson Purvis, all of Savannah; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Neal was predeased  by his sister, Shirley Register.

          Visitation will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, July 19 at Fox and Weeks Islands Chapel with a funeral service at 11:00 am.  Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.