Franklin Purifoy

Mr. Franklin Delano Purifoy, age 83, of Saratoga, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 19, 2017, in a local hospital. Mr. Purifoy was born June 5, 1933, in Genoa, Arkansas. He was a member of the New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, was retired from the Federal Aviation Administration, and was a Veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Korean Conflict. He was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend, and would do anything for those he loved. He was a man of such integrity with a strong faith in God. His children thought the world of him. They learned values and strength of character, and he supported them in all of their life choices. Survivors include his wife, LaVene Stokes Purifoy of Saratoga, Arkansas, one daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Rick Shephard of Los Angeles, California, one son, Greg Purifoy of Hurst, Texas, four step-children, Jan Shelton and Jerie and Mike Bucko of Independence, Missouri, Jon Keith and Loretta Shelton of Jakarta, Indonesia, and Jack Vincent and Stephanie Dickens of Virginia, three sisters, Frances Cornett of Austin, Texas, Minnie Etta Stone of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Patricia Overmyer of Texarkana, Texas, two brothers, Ben Purifoy and Robert Purifoy of Genoa, Arkansas, two grandchildren, Briana Purifoy Cole and Hailey Purifoy, eight step-grandchildren, Debi Belleville, Rob DeMarco, Nicholas Bucko, Evan Bucko, Ideirah Shelton, Xavez Shelton, Zachariah Dickens, and Kelsey Dickens, two great-grandchidren, and six step-great-grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be at 4:00 P. M. Thursday at the Texarkana Funeral Home Arkansas Chapel with Rev. Wayne Reed officiating. Burial will be at Rondo Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 PM until service time Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to: New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 507 Cornbridge Road, Mineral Springs, Arkansas, 71851 Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.