Melba O’Quinn Purcell, 86, of Fayetteville, went to be with the Lord and her Savior on January 16, 2011, from complications of pneumonia.
Melba was born in Adel, Cook County, Georgia on January 14, 1925 to the late Serena Iowa and Willie Washington O’Quinn. After graduating from business school, she moved to College Park, Georgia, and began her secretarial career with Delta Air Lines, Inc. It was there that she met her husband of 51 years, Carroll Hires Purcell. They married in November, 1959, and lived in East Point. They moved to Fayetteville in 1981.
She is survived by her husband, Carroll Hires Purcell, her daughter Serena (Purcell) and Joey Gable and her grandson, Chris Gable.
During her life, she was an active member of many Baptist churches, most recently Fayetteville First Baptist Church. She was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star and affiliated with the Riverdale Chapter #446. She enjoyed spending time at Cushing Park, Lake Allatoona and traveling throughout the United States and Europe.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 19 at 2:00 p.m. in the Overton Chapel of Fayetteville First Baptist Church in Fayetteville with Rev. Glenn Stringham and Rev. Dennis Watson officiating. Graveside services will be held at Camp Memorial Park in Fayetteville. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 18th at C. J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
C. J. Mowell & Son is in charge of arrangements.
