Ocean City–Reba Mitchell Purnell, age 100, passed away on Aug. 27, 2014 at her home.
Born in Christopher, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Lillie Mitchell. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Dudley (1959) and second husband, Harry S. Purnell, Jr (1992).
Surviving, are her step-sons, Harry S. Purnell, III and his wife, Barbara of Princeton, N.J., and John “Jack” H. Purnell and his wife, Patricia of Fenwick, Del. and St Louis, MO. She was a beloved grandmother to five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Reba was a graduate of Illinois State Normal University and taught school for a year in Christopher before becoming a legal secretary in Bloomington, Ill. She and her first husband lived in Beirut, Lebanon and Lima, Peru, where he represented several heavy machinery and automotive companies. After his death, Reba settled in New York City, working as an administrative assistant to a major city official. In 1965 she married Harry and took up residence in Bronxville, N.Y. for several years before moving to West Ocean City. They enjoyed many happy years on the Eastern Shore.
A private service will be held for the family on Sept. 7, 2014 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Berlin. Rev. Michael Moyer will officiate. Inurnment will follow in St. Paul’s Churchyard.
A donation in her memory may be made to: Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.
Born in Christopher, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Lillie Mitchell. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Dudley (1959) and second husband, Harry S. Purnell, Jr (1992).
Surviving, are her step-sons, Harry S. Purnell, III and his wife, Barbara of Princeton, N.J., and John “Jack” H. Purnell and his wife, Patricia of Fenwick, Del. and St Louis, MO. She was a beloved grandmother to five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Reba was a graduate of Illinois State Normal University and taught school for a year in Christopher before becoming a legal secretary in Bloomington, Ill. She and her first husband lived in Beirut, Lebanon and Lima, Peru, where he represented several heavy machinery and automotive companies. After his death, Reba settled in New York City, working as an administrative assistant to a major city official. In 1965 she married Harry and took up residence in Bronxville, N.Y. for several years before moving to West Ocean City. They enjoyed many happy years on the Eastern Shore.
A private service will be held for the family on Sept. 7, 2014 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Berlin. Rev. Michael Moyer will officiate. Inurnment will follow in St. Paul’s Churchyard.
A donation in her memory may be made to: Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.