93-Year-Old Georgia Man Proves True Love Exists

GLENNVILLE, GA — Clarence Purvis, 93, lost his wife four years ago, but he still loves her every bit as much as he used to. He takes photos of his wife to Smith's Restaurant in Reidsville, where they used to frequent together, and has lunch with her in memory.

Purvis met the love of his life, Carolyn Todd, in 1948. They were married the next year, after Carolyn graduated high school. Their union lasted 63 years until her death.

“Ain't nobody loved one another more than me and my wife loved one another,” Purvis told WTOC. “I wanted what she wanted and she wanted what I wanted."

"He's a part of this restaurant," said Joyce James, the owner of Smith's.

"I asked my husband, I said, 'You know if something happened to me, will you put my picture on the table?' He said, 'I don't think so dear.' He said, 'I love you but, that might be a little much.'”

Purvis has proven to be a staple of not just Smith's, but his community. WTOC said he loves working, doing yard work for his church and for neighbors, often for free.

He told WTOC that Carolyn loved the light of a certain lamp in their Glennville home. He has her picture propped against the lamp, leaving it on all the time for her.

Smith's reminds Purvis of his wife and of the fantastic times they had together. When WTOC asked him why he comes to the restaurant so much, he said “I love her that much, and miss her that much.”

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