Mary Rose Purpuree

Mary Rose Purpuree, age 94, of Grants Pass, Oregon passed from this earth into a glorious Kingdom, peacefully, Sunday, June 21, 2026, at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Mary Rose was born June 29, 1931, in Groton, New York to George and Lucille Joli. Her family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1933 and then to Klamath Falls, Oregon until moving to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1946. Shortly after moving to Grants Pass, she met Victor L.M. Purpuree Sr. and they married, September 23, 1947. Together they raised two children, Victor Junior Purpuree of Portland, Oregon, and Rosemary Darlene Mincks of Yosemite, Kentucky. During that time, they moved to Los Angeles, California from 1951-1956 before moving back to Grants Pass, Oregon.

Mary Rose worked at North American Aviation in Los Angeles, California, from 1951 to 1955. She later served as office and production manager for Victory Linen and Victory Laundry and Linen Supply in Grants Pass, Oregon, where the business laundered shop towels and rugs for local companies. She and her husband operated the laundry from 1971 to 1986. During that time, she also sewed emblems, patches, and buttons for the uniform supply business her husband owned and operated from 1969 to 1989, providing uniforms for Rural Metro Fire Department, the Sheriff's Department, the Police Department, and others. 

Mary Rose alongside her husband volunteered for the Josephine County Search and Rescue and Crimson Circle Good Sam's Club as well as teaching Sunday School with her sister Pearl Hamblin (deceased) at Trinity Apostolic Faith Church, where she attended for years.

Her hobbies included spending time with family, camping, crocheting, cooking, canning preserves, baking cookies for her grandchildren and reading her Bible. She also enjoyed music, especially the old hymns sung at church, and listening to her grandchildren sing when gathered. She was known for always looking her best, her favorite shopping excursions included a chance to find shoes and/or a purse to go with her outfit.

Survivors include a son, Victor Junior Purpuree of Portland, Oregon; a daughter Rosemary Darlene Mincks of Yosemite, Kentucky; a sister, Betty Jackson of Fruita, Colorado; a sister, Esther Ballard of St. Charles, Missouri; 8 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 10 (almost 11) great-great grandchildren. 

Preceding her in death were her husband, Victor L.M. Purpuree Sr.; her parents, George and Lucille Joli; a sister, Arlene Ruth Joli; a sister, Ida Oldridge; a half-brother, Dewey Joli; a sister, Caroline Kasper; a sister, Thelma Wickberg; a brother, Joe Joli; a brother James Joli, a sister Pearl Hamblin; a sister, May Loomis; a grandson, Stephen Matthew Isaac Mincks; and a great-granddaughter, Jennifer Rose Tachell. 

A Memorial Service will be held at Provolt Community Church, 13480 Williams Hwy, Grants Pass, Oregon at 11:00a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

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