Paz Purvis was born March 5, 1921. His parents, Marvin and Arlie Purvis, were long time residents of Ray City and operated Purvis Grocery Store there.
In 1937, just days before Paz’s 16th birthday, he rode with Charlie J. Shaw and June McGee to see the Ray City girls’ basketball team play in a tournament at Pearson, GA. Basketball was the sport at Ray City School, and the girls’ and boys’ teams were the pride of the town. Shaw was a next door neighbor of the Purvises and an automobile mechanic in Ray City; his daughter was playing in the tournament. McGee was the owner of the June Cafe, one of the Ray City historic businesses.
June McGee was driving that night. The route from Ray City to Pearson was about 40 miles. A little before 8:30 pm the men were passing through Willacoochee, GA. As they exited the town they approached the railroad crossing of the Georgia & Florida Railroad. In the dark they didn’t see the train that was stopped on the tracks.
THE BUTLER HERALD
MARCH 4, 19373 GEORGIANS KILLED WHEN AUTO PLUNGES INTO STANDING TRAIN
Willacoochee, Ga., Feb. 25.—Three Ray City men were killed Wednesday night when their auto plunged into the cars of a freight train, stopped at a water tank at Willacoochee. The grade crossing at which the accident occurred is located in the city limits. The dead: Charles Shaw, June McGee and Paz Purvis. Shaw and McGee were instantly killed and Purvis died half an hour later en route to a Douglas hospital. The auto was demolished in the crash. The three men were en route to Pearson to attend a basketball tournament in which Shaw’s daughter, Gwendolyn, was to take part.
The three men were buried at Ray City, GA. Paz Purvis was interred at New Ramah Cemetery. It seems that the monument on his grave was not added until some years later, as it incorrectly gives the date of his death as February 24, 1934.
Paz Purvis and his parents now rest together at New Ramah Cemetery, the former site of New Ramah Primitive Baptist Church, at Ray City, GA. The burial grounds are quiet except for the susurrations of the south Georgia piney woods.
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Charles Jones Shaw (January 24, 1901 – February 24, 1937)
Son of Susie Bullard and Jesse Shelby “Dock” Shaw. Survived by his wife, Marie Dudley Shaw, and daughter, Gwendolyn Shaw. Interred at Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA
June Ruffus McGee (March 3, 1910 – February 24, 1937)
Son of Mary Jane Bostick (1875-1941) and David Judson “Jut” McGee (1876-). Survived by his wife, Edith Della Gaskins (1914-1999) and daughter, Hazel Ida McGee (1931-2015). Interred at Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA.
Paswell “Paz” Purvis (March 5, 1921 – February 24, 1937)
Son of Arlie Guthrie (1890-1976) and Guy Marvin Purvis (1899-1975). Brother of Treswell Purvis (1917-1968) and June Errol Purvis (1928-2002). Interred at New Ramah Cemetery, Ray City, GA.
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