SALISBURY - On Tuesday, Jun. 13, 2017, our mother, Dorothy Lee Purnell, age 80, of Salisbury and formerly of Crisfield, took her last breath in this world, only to pass to that Supreme World we know as Heaven. So this obituary is the last thing her four children can do for her as our mother.
Dorothy Purnell fought a fierce battle with cancer for nearly a year, and after so much, she could take no more. She gracefully and bravely stood before death without fear, stepped into the other world, one that there is no pain, and many family members to surround her.
She was the wife of Robert J. Purnell, Sr., who passed away in 1995, and was the daughter of Mr. Edward L. Long, Sr. and Mrs. Louise T. Long Carey. She was the last of two brothers and five sisters whom have also passed.
Dorothy was the mother of four children, two sons, and two daughters, Robert J. Purnell, Jr., of Marion Station, William Edwin Purnell, II, and wife Angie, of Sykesville, Teresa P. Waller, of Salisbury, and Lydia P. Snyder and husband Frank, of Daytona Beach, Fla. She also had ten grandchildren, Robby Purnell, III, Freddy Purnell, Brian Smith, Jeremy Smith, Colin Waller, Ian Snyder, and Kimberly Snyder, Jessica Purnell, Samantha Purnell, and Liesel Purnell; and three great-grandchildren, Luke Smith, Layne Smith, and Ella Smith.
Our mother had been involved with all her children over the years, from the time she was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, member of the PTA, and her enjoyment and membership of the Eastern Star Chesapeake Chapter #28 where she was Past Worthy Matron, and was one of the original advisors of the Rainbow Girls in Crisfield. She was also the first woman to run for the City Council in Crisfield.
After her husband died, she was able to travel the world with her youngest son, William E. Purnell, II whom she lived with for several years. She enjoyed traveling.
Memorial Services will be held at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Crisfield on Saturday, Jul. 1, 2017, at 11 a.m. The Reverends Paul Holland and Joe Barnes will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802-1733, or to the Immanuel United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Robert H. Bradshaw, Jr., 306 W. Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817.
To send condolences to the family, please visit our website at www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com.