Neil C. Puryear Jr.

Born into a Jonesboro pioneer family, Neil Cosler Puryear Jr. 83, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday November 18, 2014 at his residence. He was born September 4, 1931 to the late Neil Cosler Puryear Sr. and Myrtle Scott Puryear at St. Bernards Medical Center. He attended University of Arkansas where he met two life time friends, Robert Davis and Charles Sorrels. He was a member of KAPPA SIGMA fraternity. He married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Dean, December 12, 1952. As a life long sales representative he retired and moved to Cherokee Village on Lake Thunderbird Lake, enjoying many happy years. He kept in touch with old friends and cherished visitations with cohorts and sales customers of yester year. He was an avid antique car collector, and served as president of MOTA in 1979. He was organized and immaculate: neat closets, manicured lawn, spotless kitchen and most of all shiny clean cars. Close friends never escaped his satirical wit, and he was king of movie trivia. Wednesday was his favorite day working at the HELPING NEIGHBORS FOOD PANTRY. Neil is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Mary and sister Margaret. He is survived by son, Dean (Elisha) Puryear of Lakeland, Tenn.; daughter, Leigh Ann Puryear of Memphis, Tenn.; brother, George Puryear of Jonesboro; three grandchildren, Amber Whitaker, Grant Puryear, Jane Puryear and great-grandchild, Rayce Whitaker Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Davis, David Ferguson, Rick Goff, Danny Glenn, Robert Houston, Bill Johnson, Robert Langford and Charles Sorrels, and Edgar (Sonny) Dean. A private burial for family and close friends will be Friday, November 21, 2014 at Oaklawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Emerson Memorial Chapel at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. John Miles II officiating. Visitation will follow the memorial service. Those wishing to leave lasting memorials are requested to consider Helping Neighbors Food Pantry, P.O. Box 19182, Jonesboro, Ark. 72403 or the charity of their choice. For online registry go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com.