Essie Paramore Purdy, 99, of Suffolk, passed away on December 20, 2009. A native of Washington, NC she was the daughter of the late Alonga Hodges and Annie Harrell Hodges and was also predeceased by her husbands William A. Paramore, Sr. and James Purdy and six sisters and one brother. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her daughters, Dorothy Jones of Driver, VA, Lois King of Fallen, NV, Geraldine Matthews of Suffolk, VA and Linda Smith (Johnny) of Hertford, NC.; a son, William A. Paramore, Jr. (Betsy) of Suffolk, VA; one step daughter, Dixie Holt of Tampa, FL and 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 16 great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, with Rev. William Paramore, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery. Friends may join the family at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. for visitation and other times at the residence of Geraldine Matthews. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation Center in Suffolk, VA