Jessie Purnell

Jessie Smith Purnell, 92, of Monroe, NC, died peacefully on July 14, 2021 at Waltonwood Cotswold in Charlotte, NC. She was born on September 26, 1928 in Monroe to the late Martin and Bessie Smith. Jessie is also preceded in death by her husband Rial Omega Purnell, five sisters: Verna Jones, Willy Ruth Presson, Christine Helms, Elvie HInson, and Becky Handsel, and a brother, Myron Smith. A private family graveside service will be held in Lakeland Memorial Park, in Monroe. Jessie was married for 42 years to the late Rial Omega Purnell. She was a graduate of Benton Heights High School and started working as a teenager at the Center Theater and the Monroe Hotel, where she met her husband. They lived their entire lives in Monroe with Jessie retiring as an accounting clerk from Scovill Corporation in 1982. Jessie was a member of First Baptist Church in Monroe for over 60 years and always enjoyed the women’s Bible Study classes, particularly those taught by Lottie Baucom. Jessie is survived by son, Lynn Purnell and his wife Donna, of Charlotte and a daughter Beverly Kranitzky and her husband, Chuck, of Mt. Juliet, TN. She had three granddaughters: Whitney Combs (Robert), Katelyn Dixon (Brent), Kathryn Galuppo (Mike) and three grandsons: Alex Kranitzky (Beth), Stewart Kranitzky (Madison) and Brian Kranitzky. Jessie also had two great grandsons: Wilder and Walden Galuppo; and a great granddaughter, Ellie Kratnitzky. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to First Baptist Church, 109 W. Morrow Avenue, Monroe, NC 28112, or Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 7600 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28226. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave. Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Purnell family.