Jonesboro- Joseph "Joe" Whitsitt Purnell passed away Thursday morning January 23, 2014 at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. He was born January 24, 1938 in Beardstown, Illinois but lived in Paragould and Jonesboro most of his life. "Pop Joe" loved to spend time with his family and play golf. He enjoyed a good steak cooked Pittsburgh style. He was retired from Gene Stimson's Inc of Arkansas where he worked for over 60 years in various management positions. He was a man of impeccable integrity and work ethic, who expected the same of all who worked for him. Many felt his word and hand shake were as binding as a legal document. He was a member ofthe First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro. He preceded in death by his father, Charles Clinton Purnell and mother, Imogene Whitsitt Purnell. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patty Purnell of the home; daughter, Patricia "Patti Jo" Mitchell (Greg) of Jonesboro; sister, Jacqueline Clause of Springfield, ILL; grandson, William "Will" Purnell Clark; granddaughter, Megan Mitchell; great-grandson, Jude Mitchell all of Jonesboro; nephew, Charles Joseph Pell (Nancy); two great nieces, Maxon and Blair; great nephew, Timon all of Springfield. Visitation will be at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home, 300 W. Matthews Ave in Jonesboro on Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 5 until 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Monday, January 27, 2014 at Gregg Langford Bookout Funeral Home with Rev. John Miles and Rev. Patty Soward officiating. Entombment will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Max Hales, Dewaine Beisner, Fred Flemon, Danny Honnoll, Jerry Haynes and Chris Barber. Honorary pallbearers are Gene Stimson, Gene "Buddy" Stimson Jr., Stephen Weston, Stimson's Big Star- West Memphis- managers, company staff and employees, Dr. Gordon Akin, Dr. Michael Issacson (Joyce Stephanie), Dr. Allen Nixon, Dr. Randy Roberts, Dr. David Weingold, Dr. Mark Sifford, Dr. Jason Casey, Dr. Don Hudson, Terry Joe Osment, Jonesboro Healthcare Clinic, Bill Beasley, Jimmy Dan Maddox, James Wallace, Bill Morrison, Mike Hales, Steve Hales, Garnett McDaniel, Joe McAlister, Dr. Ken Lovern, St. Elizabeth's Nursing Staff, Dr. Allen and ER staff at St. Bernards, NEA Baptist Hospital Nursing staff, Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House nursing staff. Lasting memorials please consider: Northeast Arkansas Breast Cancer Support Group, P.O. Box 4055, Jonesboro, AR 72403 or First United Methodist Church Youth Program, 801 S. Main, Jonesboro, AR 72401