Thornton Dean Purcell

THORNTON DEAN PURCELL, Acworth, GA Dean (G-pa) was born on November 18, 1931 in Banks County, Georgia. Son of the late Thornton and Etta Rumsey Purcell. He lived most of his life in Cobb County and died at his home in Acworth on December 23, 2017 following a long illness. His funeral will be at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Macland Chapel in Powder Springs Thursday December 28th, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. Dean was married to Shirley Brown Purcell for 64 years, he was a wonderful husband to Shirley and father to Deanna Beadles (Terry), Laura Purcell, and Philip Dean Purcell. He also loved his four grandchildren and spent lots of time with them in their early childhood; Amanda Beadles (Jared) Stumpenhorst, Deborah Beadles (Chaz) McElvey, Ethan and Ellie Marentes. The five greatgrandchildren were loved by him even while he was bedridden, and they returned that love to G-pa; JC, William, and Zach McElvey, Andy and Maddie Stumpenhorst. Family was very important to Dean. He is also survived by one sister, Gwendolyn Purcell, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers and three sisters. Dean loved God and his church. In fact, he loved all his friends and those he met along the way. He graduated from McEachern High School, served as a leader to the Webelos Boy Scouts, was a member of the Georgia Dahlia Society where he served as President for a year and a Judge of dahlias at the flower shows. He grew beautiful dahlias that were enjoyed by his church family, nursing homes, and even weddings and funerals plus winning many awards in dahlia shows. In his church over the years he served as Administrative Board Chairman for several terms, Trustees Chairman, Staff-Parish Relations Committee and in many other offices. He was a member of the Cantrell-Phillips S.S. Class and was a member of the County Line United Methodist Church for over 60 years. Dean served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict (1953-55) and was stationed at Stansted Air Base bear London where he drove a heavy truck to help build a runway at the airport. He and Shirley took a train to Stansted where they visited London in 2004. During a tour of the area, he learned that not much was left of the base he knew, it had been made into an international airport. Dean graduated from McEachern High School and worked for 40 years at Anderson Motor Company in Marietta. He leaves a family who loved him, friends who cared for him, church friends who missed him in his months of failing health, and neighbors who loved and respected him. It must be said that he was loved by his in-laws, the late Ralph and Estelle Brown and in return he loved and cared for them. Not enough can be said about Dean but words need not be said because he lived his life well and will be remembered for that. Thanks to the caregivers Evelyn Milner, Dorothy Simpson, Fyne Ogoner, and Breanna White who took good care of him for an extended time and thanks to the Wellstar Hospice. If desired, donations may be made to County Line UMC for the Dean Purcell Memorial. Donations will be directed to the ERT/Missions Ministry, Youth and Children’s Ministry. Address: County Line UMC. 1183 County Line Rd., Acworth GA. 30101. Family will receive friends from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. Wednesday 27th, 2017 at the funeral home. Officiants: Rev. Joey Hatchell Rev. Dr. Kirk Bozeman Rev. Dr. Scott Pickering Funeral Home – Mayes Ward-Dobbins, Macland Chapel Cemetery – Kennesaw Memorial, Kennesaw, GA.

Thornton Dean Purcell

November 18, 1931 - December 23, 2017