Louise Pursley

Louise Freeman Pursley died peacefully at her home on November 11, 2021 in Milledgeville, Georgia at the age of 98. Louise Pursley was born in Dublin, Georgia on August 1, 1923 to the late John Ernest Freeman and Gradye Thigpen Freeman. Louise’s family moved to Rome, Georgia where she attended high school, and her father worked for the Farm Bureau. After living in Rome for several years her family moved back to Dublin where her father was president of the Four County Bank. Louise Pursley attended college at Georgia State College for Women which is now Georgia College and State University. After college she worked in the Commandants office at Georgia Military College. On May 20, 1951, Louise Freeman married John Augustus Pursley Jr. They were married for sixty-seven years until his death in 2018. Louise will be remembered for her love of family, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was affectionately known as Nana. Her greatest joy came from cooking meals and watching her family enjoy the fruits of her labor. Mrs. Louise was known for her famous cheese straws (they could never be too spicy!). Nana loved starting collections of Royal Doulton figurines, cut glass, and paper weights from all her travels for her children and grandchildren. Other than her parents, Mrs. Pursley is predeceased by a brother John Ernest Freeman, and a great grandchild, Wiley McTeer Bell. Mrs. Pursley is survived by a daughter Irene Pursley Miller (Charles) of Milledgeville, a son John Augustus Pursley III (Helen) of Milledgeville, six grandchildren, Jennifer Brown Bell (Wiley) of Georgetown, South Carolina, James Parker Brown of Athens, GA, Helen Marie Pursley Davenport (McKenzie) of Milledgeville, Molly Brown Stanton (Hayes) of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, John Augustus Pursley IV (Jean) of Milledgeville, and Eliza Pursley Smith (Garrett) of Milledgeville and 13 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the wonderful extended family of caregivers, Mary Jackson, Bernasta Waller, Shirley Butts, Kim Holsey, Betty Jackson, Margie Dean, and Shandreka West. Mrs. Pursley touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed. A funeral service will be held Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at West View Cemetery and visitation will follow after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Louise Freeman Pursley to First United Methodist Church Building Fund or to Georgia Military College Foundation for the John and Louise Pursley Scholarship Endowment.

Louise Pursley

August 1, 1923 - November 11, 2021