Amanda Levada- Rebecca Purdy Tarver's Obituary
Amanda Levada-Rebecca Purdy Tarver, 81, of Chattanooga, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021 in a local healthcare facility. Amanda, the seventh child of the late Jessie and Mollie B. Persley Purdy, was born on April 9, 1939 in Weona, Arkansas. She is preceded in death by four brothers, James, Nathaniel, Floyd, and Paul; and two sisters, Mary Dean and Betty. Amanda gave her life to Christ at an early age by being baptized and becoming a member of St. John Baptist Church in Marked Tree, Arkansas. After moving to Bristol, Tennessee in 1984, she became a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Bristol, Virginia which she remained until her death. Amanda graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Marked Tree, Arkansas in 1958. She then attended college at Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute in Prentiss, Mississippi. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College in 1962, now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Amanda married Willie Tarver of Birmingham, Alabama on February 11, 1966 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. This union was blessed with three sons, Eric, Michael, and Kevin. She was devoted to her family and supported them in all of their endeavors. She loved to cook and try out new recipes. She was especially known for her baked goods of cakes, pies, cookies, and breads. She was quick to laugh and always willing to share her thoughts. Left to cherish her memory are her immediate family: devoted and loving husband of 54 years, Willie Lee Tarver of Chattanooga; son, Eric DeWayne Tarver (Lucy) of Hartford, Connecticut; son, Michael Eugene Tarver (Kim) of Odenton, Maryland; son, Kevin Lee Tarver (Tanya) of Harrison, Tennessee; grandchildren Aaron, Joshua, Alyssa, Layla, and Serena; brothers, Franklin D. Purdy (Mary) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Jessie S. Purdy (Cheryl) of Manassas, Virginia; sister, Rosie M. Purdy Willis (Willie) of Luxora, Arkansas. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church members, and friends. All CDC mandates will be in force at the church which includes wearing a mask and social distancing.
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