Cole Allen Puryear, age 7 of Athens, TN went to be with the Lord on Saturday December 19, 2009 at Childrens Hospital in Knoxville, TN from injuries sustained in a stroke.

He was a native of Riceville, TN and a Star Honor Roll Student at Riceville Elementary School.  Cole excelled in many sports; Basketball (3 years), Baseball (5 years), and golf. He  was a top golfer having been Knoxville Player of the Year winning every event. He competed in the 2009 U. S. Kids Open at Pinehurst Country Club. He was recipient of the Presidential Fitness Award for 2 years.

A member of Eastanallee Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his great-grand fathers Buck Landers, Guy Stuart, Adolphus Puryear, Great Grandmothers: Virginia Snyder and Millicent Puryear.

Survivors are his Mother:  Cayci Axley Puryear of Riceville, Tenn.  Father: Glen Puryear of Athens, TN.  Brother: Cade Puryear of Riceville, TN.  Maternal Grandmother and Step-grand Father;  Sharon and Richard Brogan of Riceville, TN.  Maternal Grandfather; Joe Axley of Athens, TN. Paternal Grandmother and grandfather; Al and Cecelia Puryear of White Pine, Tenn. Great-grandmothers; Blanche Landers of Athens, TN. and Jill Stuart of White Pine, Tn. Uncles and Aunts: Eric and Cortney Axley, Brian and Stephanie Canfield, Reggie and Michele Herndon. Cousins: Taegan Axley, Laura Herndon, Mariah and Sean Canfield.

Funeral service will be 11:00A.M. Tuesday Dec. 22, 2009 at Eastanallee Baptist Church with Dr. Ralph Jenkins and Rev. Randy Singleton officiating.

Interment will follow at Eastanallee Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Heath Frazier, Ryne Frazier, Justin Frazier, Brad Bennett, Clay Bennett, and Jacob Kennedy.

The family will receive friends Monday from 5:00-8:00P.M. at  Eastanallee Baptist Church.

The body will lie-in-state from 10:00A.M.-11:00A.M. Tuesday at the church.

Those wishing may make memorial contributions may do so by writing to Riceville Elementary School "Cole's Christmas for Children" c/o Vicki Thornburg P. O. Box 3058, Riceville, Tenn. 37370.