Janie Ellen Purvis

Janie Ellen Purvis passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, in Viera, Florida, just eight days before her 73rd birthday. Born on March 18, 1952, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Eugene Matthews and Margie Ervina, she was raised with devotion by her adoptive parents, Willard and Hazel Sibert.

Janie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ivory “Donald” Purvis; by her daughter, Jennifer Star; and by her brothers, Eugene Mathews and David Mathews. She is survived by her children: Heather Michelle (Dave), Aaron Christopher, Nathan Israel, Amber Johanna (Rich), and Joshua Jordan (Lila), all of whom she shared with her former husband, Arthur Greenfield. She was a devoted grandmother to nine grandchildren: David, April, Brianna, Nathan, Logan, Ellen, Aiden, Jordan, and Lenora. She was also a proud great-grandmother to seven: David, Ryan, Zachary, Lillian, Stella, Ethan, and Kenneth.

Janie lived a life full of color, energy, and resilience. She was a woman who believed in the power of family, the joy of connection, and the beauty of forging her own path. She was strong-willed, determined, and never afraid to speak her mind. Whether she was offering advice, sharing a story, or simply being present, her presence filled the room.

Her adventurous spirit led her across the country—from California to Arizona, Texas, Ohio, New York, and ultimately to Florida. But for Janie, home was never a place. It was found in the people she loved, the memories she created, and the laughter shared around the table.

Janie had a deep appreciation for the simple joys in life: gardening, dressing up, sharing meals, and spending time with friends. She was social and spirited, always ready with a witty remark, a warm smile, and the kind of charisma that drew people in. She believed in God, and while she did not wear her faith on her sleeve, she lived her values each day through her compassion, generosity, and strength.

Professionally, Janie dedicated herself to helping others. She retired in 2015 from Wuesthoff Hospital, where she worked as an EKG technician. It was a role that reflected her natural instinct to care for those in need.

Her later years were spent in Viera Del Mar, where she made meaningful friendships and found a supportive community. Even as her health declined, she remained strong in spirit: graceful, courageous, and full of gratitude. One of her final days was spent in the sunlight, surrounded by loved ones, her hair braided, dressed in one of her favorite outfits, waving to friends who stopped to greet her. It was a moment of peace, of presence, and of love—a gift for everyone who witnessed it.

Janie’s life was not without its hardships, but she met them with grace, humor, and unwavering resolve. She was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister, and a friend. She was the matriarch of her family, a woman of enduring love and conviction.

Though she has left this world, Janie’s legacy lives on in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; in the stories we tell; and in the values she instilled in each of us. She taught us to be strong, to be true to ourselves, and to love deeply and without apology.

As we say goodbye, we take comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her loved ones who went before her. And we honor her best by living as she did—with boldness, kindness, and a heart full of love.

May her memory be a blessing, and may her soul rest in peace.