| Mom's 90th Birthday |
Helen Augusta Ernst Purkiss was born February 8, 1917, in Port Huron, Michigan to Theodore and Edna
Ernst. She was raised in Port Huron, living most of her formative years on Wall Street, between 7th and 8th
Streets. She graduated from Port Huron High School in 1936 and went to work at the Chrysler factory in
Marysville. She married Charles Alanson "Charlie" Purkiss on October 29, 1938 in Flint, Michigan. Charlie
was a partner with his dad and brother in a thriving Grocery and Meat Market. Soon after the wedding,
Charlie and Helen adopted Normajean and in 1940, their first son Charles Thomas was born. A short time
later, the Purkiss family moved into their new house at 1421 22nd Street. Charlie was drafted into the Navy
in 1944, serving about a year and a half at the Navy Base in Sampson, New York before being discharged in
December 1945 and returning to his family and the business. Their second son, Frederick George was
born in 1952; about six months later, Charlie had a heart attack and passed away. Helen then went to work
at Sears, staying there until she retired. She continued to live in Port Huron until 2001, when she moved to
San Antonio, Texas to be closer to family.
A surprise 90th birthday party was held on February 9, 2007 at the Holiday Inn in San Antonio. To make the
event especially memorable, Normajean flew in from Florida and Fred and his whole family (kids and
grandkids) came in from California.
We didn't get a chance to throw a 91st party for her. Mom passed away on Nov 28, 2007.
Ernst. She was raised in Port Huron, living most of her formative years on Wall Street, between 7th and 8th
Streets. She graduated from Port Huron High School in 1936 and went to work at the Chrysler factory in
Marysville. She married Charles Alanson "Charlie" Purkiss on October 29, 1938 in Flint, Michigan. Charlie
was a partner with his dad and brother in a thriving Grocery and Meat Market. Soon after the wedding,
Charlie and Helen adopted Normajean and in 1940, their first son Charles Thomas was born. A short time
later, the Purkiss family moved into their new house at 1421 22nd Street. Charlie was drafted into the Navy
in 1944, serving about a year and a half at the Navy Base in Sampson, New York before being discharged in
December 1945 and returning to his family and the business. Their second son, Frederick George was
born in 1952; about six months later, Charlie had a heart attack and passed away. Helen then went to work
at Sears, staying there until she retired. She continued to live in Port Huron until 2001, when she moved to
San Antonio, Texas to be closer to family.
A surprise 90th birthday party was held on February 9, 2007 at the Holiday Inn in San Antonio. To make the
event especially memorable, Normajean flew in from Florida and Fred and his whole family (kids and
grandkids) came in from California.
We didn't get a chance to throw a 91st party for her. Mom passed away on Nov 28, 2007.
| Helen at 1 1/2 years with older sister Dorothy |
| Helen at maybe 5 yrs old Circa 1922 |
| Helen (front) with Dorothy and Grandma Augusta Ernst Circa 1925 |
| Winter on Wall Street Circa 1925 |
| Also Circa 1925 |
| Helen with Dorothy Circa 1927 |
| Helen with younger sister Lucille 1937 |
| Porch on Wall Street 1932 |
| High School Graduation January 1936 |
| Grandpa and Grandma Ernst's 50th Wedding Anniversary March 1934 Helen is wearing the top from Grandma's wedding dress |
| Glamor Shot at Aunt May and Uncle Art's house in Detroit Circa 1937 |
| Charlie and Helen get married in Flint, MI Oct 29, 1938 |
| Photograph taken in 1944 for Charlie to have at his Navy barracks in Sampson, New York |
| Taken at corner of Purkiss House on 22nd Street Circa 1945 |
| Helen, Charlie, and me In front of Purkiss House on 22nd Street After WW II Circa 1946 |
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