Janie Purvis Johnson, 78 of Florence, MS went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 2, 2026 at her residence in Florence, MS. She was born Sunday, August 24, 1947 in Laurel, MS.

The family will hold a Memorial Visitation Saturday January 10th, 2026 starting at 1:00 pm with the service to follow at New Covenant Church in Harrisville, MS. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall is in charge of arrangements. 601-847-4401

Janie was born at the South Mississippi Charity Hospital in Laurel, MS, on what was undoubtedly a hot August day in 1947. She was the middle child of 7 siblings. She had 3 older brothers and 3 younger. With this arrangement came three big brothers who were built in protectors of her and three younger brothers whom she was able to help her mother with. Her father traveled for work to provide for such a large family. He was a welder by trade working extensively throughout the US on different projects. Her father's travel provided an opportunity for her mother to load her and her brothers in the car to go see their father all over the country. This left an impression on her. She had a nomadic spirit that loved to travel. She was able to go to Dubai and live for a year as well as go on mission trips to Israel, Armenia, and Guatemala. She was also able to see much of the continental US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

She attended Glade Elementary School until her family moved to the countryside outside of Ellisville, MS. She then went to Ellisville High School until her senior year, where she moved to Buras, LA, and graduated from Buras High School. This was because her father was on a longer project working and was close enough to home for the family to move and stay with him. After graduation, she lived in New Orleans, LA, for a time before moving to Jackson, MS. Once she was in central Mississippi, she would move around a little bit; she lived the rest of her years there. She had two sons, the first, Sammy, was born in Jackson in 1977. The second and meanest, Josh (I wrote this, I can say that), was born in Jackson in 1980. She was a stay-at-home mom for the years her sons were in school and provided a warm, loving home along with their father. Janie loved Jesus with everything she had. She was ever faithful and steadfast in her faith. She enjoyed going to church and ministered to people whenever she had the chance. It was not unusual at all to pray with strangers about their needs at the drop of a hat. The only thing in her life that surpassed her love for her family was her love for Christ. She lived a life that leaves no doubt she rests in heaven today. She not only enjoyed the church and her faith, but all her life she enjoyed riding motorcycles she had an adventurous spirit as well. Later in life, she was able to put two of her favorite things together by owning a motorcycle and being a member of CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association). She touched many lives in this community as well. Through the countless lives she touched, she was a blessing to many. She attended both New Covenant Church in Harrisville, MS and Restoration Church in Florence, MS for many years. Her church and CMA families meant a lot to her. She had a very outgoing personality, never meeting a stranger and trying to help bring light into people's lives. In November of 2025, she was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. She fought hard and gave it her all. She spent her last two months at home with her oldest son. Right up until her last days, when friends and family would visit, she would ask to pray with them. She always had a bright smile and a giving heart. As we say goodbye to her, we know her suffering has ended and that she is rejoicing with the angels. She leaves behind a legacy of people whom she blessed, whether that relationship lasted for a 30-second encounter or a 30-year-plus friendship. She will be missed. The world is a better place having had her in it for a time.

She was preceded in death by her father, Vaun Ray Purvis and mother, Esther Phillips Purvis.

She is survived by her sons, Sammy Vaun Johnson of Florence, MS and Joshua Wayne Johnson (Dana) of Pensacola, FL; brothers, Gene Purvis (Gaye), Bill Purvis, Ray Purvis (Maddie), Phil Purvis (Brenda), Dene Purvis (Barbara) and Tim Purvis (Karen); and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com