NEWPORT NEWS - Mrs. Lavinia Jane Purdie Glass, 97, transitioned on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at the St. Francis Nursing Center. Mrs. Glass was married to Fern D. Glass, Sr. for 61 years when he passed on January 3, 2004. She was born September 17, 1910 in Ivor to the late James Walter and Lula Johnson Purdie. She was born into a family of six brothers and five sisters, she was the second eldest.
She attended Southampton County Public School system and later studied nursing at Virginia State College. Lavinia worked in York, Pennsylvania before returning to Virginia to work at Fort Lee. It was there, that she met and married her sweetheart, SSG Fern D. Glass of Pennsylvania. SSG Glass had his eye on Lavinia and asked a friend to introduce them. The beginning of a great love story was born! After Dad’s tour of duty during World War II, they chose to live in Ivor, where the Purdie family lived.
Mrs. Glass was a faithful member of New Branch Baptist Church where she served as Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, and Choir Member. She served her community well, providing for the elderly, sick, bereaved and the needy.
She was a full time wife, mother and homemaker. Her summers were filled with gathering fruit and vegetables for canning or freezing. Mother lived her life according to the Holy Scripture, "Whatsoever you do, do as unto God." She kept our home clean, decent, and in order. Mother would not allow coarse language in the home from anyone. We were taught to remember the Sabbath Day and to keep it Holy. A Christian woman of beauty, class, modesty, and quick wit is her legacy.
Mrs. Glass was predeceased by her husband; two sons, John and James, son-in-law, David J. Crocker; six brothers and four sisters. She is survived by a son, Fern Glass, Jr. and his wife Charlotte of Hopewell; two daughters, Carrie G. Crocker of Yorktown and Lula J. Glass of Woodbridge; one sister, Mary P. Bailey of East Orange, New Jersey; five grandsons, five granddaughters, and ten great grandchildren.
The Homegoing Service will be conducted on Friday, December 28, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at New Branch Baptist Church, 8140 Proctors Bridge Road, Ivor, VA. Pastor Frank L. Aikens, Sr. will conduct the service. The family will meet at the church at 10:00 A.M. Professional services provided by Crocker Funeral Home, Inc., 900 E. Washington Street, Suffolk.
