Mary Handy Purnell

Obituary For Mary Handy Purnell

Mary Handy Purnell, 99 years, of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed away on April 18, 2023.

Mrs. Purnell was born in Salisbury, Maryland on November 16, 1923 to James and Hattie Handy. She was the youngest of four children. The quartet of four siblings were inseparable all of their lives. The longevity gene has blessed all four Handy children. Andrew age of 95, James Otis age 93, and Olivia age 97 are now deceased. She was married to Jacob Ray Purnell, deceased in 2002.

Mary Purnell was the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction, Director of The Reading Division. The value of education and the significance of reading abilities were the focal point of her professional life.

She obtained her undergraduate B.S. and M.A. Degrees from A&T University. Postgraduate work at Temple University, UNC- Greensboro, North Carolina Central University, and The University Of Chicago. She taught in public school, then at A& T and UNC-G.
Prior to the Directorship at the State Department, Mary was appointed as one of two special Reading consultants in the history of The Division of Language Arts for the State Department of Education.

Later in life, she was a volunteer in voting headquarters and locations, a speech maker,
and consultant. At the “Greensboro Beautiful’’ Organization, Board of Directors, her extensive
knowledge of plants and flowers was enjoyed. Mary was a member of the AKA sorority.

Mrs. Purnell is survived by Joyce Handy, niece, and Drew Lamar Handy, nephew. Numerous friends will remember her warm smile, conversation, and stoic energy.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The family wished to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern and kindness shown to them during this hour of bereavement. May God Bless and Keep You.

Honor the life of Mary Handy Purnell

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