James Alfred Purcell

JAMES ALFRED PURCELL Funeral Services for James Alfred Purcell will be Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at McKenzie First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, October 19, 2013, at First United Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Mr. Purcell dedicated his life to his wife, Margaret West Purcell, for 64 years, before she preceded him in death, and to his surviving five children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mr. Purcell was born November 18, 1923, on a farm in Stephens County, Georgia. As the youngest of seven children he learned the importance of a strong work ethic as he and his elder siblings, along with their father, Adolphus Homer Purcell, and their mother, Marede Maude Purcell, sought to survive the depression. At the age of 12 he began to work beside men twice his age in the peach orchards and continued in that and other work until he graduated from high school. Thereafter, he enlisted in the Air Force serving our country in World War II. He achieved the rank of gunnery sergeant and also served as a recruiter. Following his years in the military, Mr. Purcell began working in a hardware store as an assistant manager. Eventually he was tasked with the responsibility to buy furniture for resale to the public. This led to his employment with a national chain of furniture stores, serving in the capacity of manager in various locations in the country, and ultimately, serving as the owner of his own business, Village Furniture in Paris, Tennessee, which he owned and operated for 25 years with his wife, Mrs. Purcell. Throughout his life Mr. Purcell was known as a fair man of outstanding character who treated all people with respect and dignity. He was also a lifetime member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Purcell is survived by two daughters, Nola (John) Jenkins of Wilson, NC and Wanda (Ricky) Mayeux of Baton Rouge, LA; three sons, Homer (Barbara) Purcell of Ramsey, NJ, Bruce (Julie) Purcell of Columbia, MO and Chuck (Jacqueline) Purcell of Jackson, TN; one sister; Marian Anderson of Toccoa, GA nine grandchildren, Kimberly Tedesco (Phil), Melissa (Cole) Sadler, Matthew (Jennifer) Purcell, Ryan Purcell, Cameron Purcell, Andrew Purcell, Sarah (Andrew) Spraggins, William Purcell, and Caroline Purcell; and three great grandchildren Charlotte Tedesco, Patrick Purcell, and Sara Margaret Sadler.