Services for Dr. S. Dewey Purser Jr., retired dentist, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at Riles Funeral Home. Visitation will be tonight from 5 until 7 at Riles Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Carlton Carlisle, Malcolm Carlisle, John Carlisle, Paul Watkins Jr., Colin Reid and Evan Blair.

Honorary pallbearers will be Freddy Abraham, Gene Allen, John Wade Farris, Bill Flathau, Al Ford, Joe Gerache, Percy Glatt, Leo Ingram, Wes Lominick, Lawrence Nicola, Bob Shell, Charles Trahan, Don Neumann and Charles Toney. 

Dr. Purser died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, at his home. He was 83.

Born in the Yokena community, Dr. Purser lived most of his life in Vicksburg. He graduated from Jett School after achieving perfect attendance for 12 years. He attended Hinds Community College before joining the U.S. Army Air Force, where he developed his interest in dentistry. After World War II, he graduated from Mississippi College and then attended dental school at Washington University in St. Louis. He practiced dentistry in Vicksburg for 39 years before retiring in 1992.

Dr. Purser was a member of First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and was a leader of a Boy Scout troop. He was active for many years in the YMCA’s Y’s Men and the St. Aloysius “A” Club, serving as president of both, and he was a lifetime member of Mill Pond Hunting Club.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Nicola Purser of Vicksburg; three daughters, Paula Watkins (Paul) of Clinton; Lisa Reid (Bruce) of Vicksburg; Cindy Blair (Steve) of Corinth; one son, Todd Purser of Vicksburg; seven grandchildren, Paul Watkins Jr. (Jessica), Allison Watkins, Colin Reid, Claire Reid, Valerie Blair, Evan Blair, Amanda Blair;  and one great-grandchild, Lillie Watkins.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church or Vicksburg Catholic School.