Cdr Harry Hewlette Puryear

Harry Hewlette Puryear entered eternal life on January 3, 2022. He was born on September 5, 1936, and spent the majority of his childhood in Raymond, MS. Harry retired to Huntsville, AL in 2013 after residing in Tuscaloosa, AL, Senatobia, MS and Birmingham, AL for a majority of his adult life. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Harry Henton Puryear and Doris Smith Puryear. Harry is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Carolyn Stokes Puryear; his brother, Dr. James Burton Puryear (Joan) of Greenville, SC; his two daughters, Laura Puryear Keith (Parke) of Huntsville, AL and Amy Puryear Pitts (Christian) of Nashville, TN; six granddaughters, Anna Claire Keith, Caroline Keith, Atkins Keith, Sarah Stokes Pitts, Elizabeth Pitts, and Martha Ann Pitts; as well as his first cousin, Bettye Pierce (Jim); and nephews, J.J. Puryear (Mollie), Jeff Puryear, and Joel Puryear (Allison). Harry received an undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and a second master’s degree from Florida State University. He served in the United States Navy advancing to the rank of Commander. While in the Navy, he attended Officer Candidate School and served aboard ships in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Pacific Ocean. Harry was a member of the Alabama and Mississippi Chapters of the Naval Reserve Association. He also served as the Commanding Officer of the Jackson Naval Reserve Unit. Harry spent the majority of his career in healthcare administration working across the Southeast. His favorite positions included working to improve rural community hospitals and mental health facilities. He was always civic minded serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce in Senatobia, MS, working with church-related ministries and other civic organizations, including Rotary Club. His most recent membership was in Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville. Harry was a member of First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, AL. He loved all things outdoors, including agriculture, horses, English Setter dogs and bird hunting. Harry’s membership in the Alabama Quail Hunters brought him great friendships and wonderful memories. He was an avid reader and collector of pocketknives. He enjoyed anything that reminded him of his childhood and Mississippi roots including his prize-winning English Setter, Admiral. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. with a service at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville, AL. A graveside service will be held at Kosciusko City Cemetery in Kosciusko, MS on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Faith Promise Mission Fund of First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, 120 Greene Street, Huntsville, AL 35801 or online at https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/firs120197 or Greater Huntsville Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 772, Huntsville, AL 35804.