Jonesboro- Patty Sue Purnell went to be with her heavenly Father, December 13, 2016, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.

She was born at St. Louis, Missouri on August 19, 1939 but lived her entire life in the Jonesboro area. She retired as a manager for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after thirty two years of service where she received many service awards. Patty was very active in the community serving as vice president for the Northeast Arkansas breast cancer support group. She was a two time breast cancer survivor and was extremely passionate about its cure. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Joseph "Joe" Purnell, and her mother, Faustine Lawrence.

She is survived by her daughter Patricia (Patti Jo) Purnell Mitchell (Greg) of Jonesboro; grandson, William (Will) Purnell Clark of Fayetteville; granddaughter, Megan Mitchell Brown (Ralo); two great grandchildren, Jude Vincent Mitchell and Ruby Rae Brown of Jonesboro; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Clause; nephew Charles Joseph Pell (Nancy); two great-nieces, Maxon and Blair Perkins; great-nephew Timon Pell all of Springfield, Illinois; special cousins, Belinda Farley, Dale Fisher, Renita Ellenberg, Ann Wilson, Rick Morrison and Lisa Gillete.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 15, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Gregg - Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10 am Friday, December 16, 2016 at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home with the Reverend Patty Soward officiating. Entombment will be at the Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Haynes, Bert Cole, Maxie Hales, Danny Honnoll and Leon Loyd and honorary pallbearers, Dr. David Pyle, Rhonda Hill, Nicole Babcott, Dr. Mazen Khalil and staff, Dr. Ladd Scriber, Dr. Allen Nixon, Dr. "Mac" McKee, Dr. David Weingold, Dr.'s Lauren Harmon and Brett Burris and the staff at Dental Solutions, Fred Fleeman, Dr. Matt Garner, Alec Farmer, James Wallace, Northeast Arkansas Breast Cancer Support Group.

For lasting memorials please consider: First United Methodist Church: 801 S. Main Jonesboro AR 72401, Attn: Patty Soward Ministries; or Pine Log Cemetery Association: Attn: Ted Foster - Foster's Monument, 11656 Hwy. 49 N. Brookland AR 72417 or Pine Log Church, Attn: Bob Bishop - P.O. Box 211, Brookland AR 72417.