Connie Purkey, 88, of Groves, Texas passed away Sunday, January 23, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. Connie was born on February 2, 1922 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Harold Roland Riley and Mildred Crystal Keith Riley. She was a resident of Groves for 60 years and longtime member of Groves First Baptist Church. She was also a member of Joy of Living Bible Study for 37 years. Connie has courageously battled ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)for the past 6 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wade Hunter Purkey; and daughter, Amber Mirabella. Survivors include her daughters, Karen Jennings and husband, Bill of Washington, TX, and Wadene Peete of Cypress, TX; son, Gene Hunter Purkey and wife, Kathy of Lumberton, TX; brother, Paul Keith Riley and wife, Winnie of Orange, TX; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 27, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Groves with Dr. Joe Worley and Reverend Rudy Elizondo officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park with Reverend Michael Osborne officiating under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. A visitation for family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., Thursday at the church. Friends wishing may send memorial contributions to: ALS Association; P.O. Box 271561; Houston, TX 77277-1562.