Carroll Hires Purcell, 92, of Fayetteville, went to be with the Lord and his Savior on Tuesday, November 5, 2013.
Carroll was born in Nahunta, Brantley County, Georgia, on May 8, 1921 to the late Carrie Lucille and Jesse Greene Purvis. He and his identical twin brother Jess were adopted shortly after their birth by Carrie’s sister Mollie and her husband Burrell Demry Purcell.
He graduated from Russell High School in East Point, Georgia and served for a brief time in the Army Air Corp until he was medically discharged. After graduating from The Spartan School of Aeronautics and brief career as a private pilot, he began his 34 year career with Delta Air Lines in October 1948. It was there that he met his wife of 51 years Melba O’Quinn Purcell. They married in November 1959 and lived in East Point. They moved to Fayetteville in 1981.
He is survived by his daughter Serena Purcell & Joey Gable and his grandson Chris Gable. He is also survived by his identical twin brother Jess, as well as several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Colbert Purvis and sisters Helen Purvis Free and Evelyn Purcell Showalter.
During his life he was an active member of many Baptist churches, most recently Fayetteville First Baptist Church. He was a charter member of Cushing Memorial Park, Lake Allatoona and enjoyed spending time there. He also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe.
A funeral service was held Friday, November 8, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville with Rev. Glenn Stringham and Rev. Dennis Watson officiating. Graveside services were held at Camp Memorial Park, Fayetteville. Visitation was held Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to The Gideon International, PO Box 498, Fayetteville, Ga. 30214. C.J. Mowell & Son was in charge of arrangements.
Carl J Mowell & Son, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com
