Anna Jean Purcell

Anna Jean Purcell, 85, of Palestine, IL, passed away on January 27, 2023, at Robinson Rehab & Nursing in Robinson, IL. She was born on December 14, 1937, in Oaktown, IN, the daughter of Parmer Waldroup & Cordia "Sis" (Neer) Waldroup, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her brother, John Waldroup, and her great-grandchildren, Ryley Mullins and Payton Mullins.

She married Harry "Gene" Purcell on her 23rd birthday (December 14, 1960), and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage prior to her passing. She is also survived by her daughter, Judy White (Palestine, IL); her granddaughter, Lisa & spouse Pete Mullins (Palestine, IL); her grandson, Brad Ramsey (Palestine, IL); her great-grandchildren, Bowen Ramsey (Palestine, IL), Bennen Ramsey (Palestine, IL), Kimberlynn Ramsey (Palestine, IL), Rayleigh Mullins (Palestine, IL), Allison Shidler (Palestine, IL), Destinee Ramsey (Hutsonville, IL), Kyrah Budds (Lawrenceville, IL), and Tanner Budds (Lawrenceville, IL); her brother, Lee Waldroup (Palestine, IL); and her special friend, Christie Herrington.

Anna Jean grew up in the Oaktown, IN, area and was a graduate of Oaktown High School. Though she worked briefly at a local grocery store following her graduation, her family soon moved to the Palestine area, where, in 1959, she started working at Brock Food Town. For the next 50+ years, her presence as a cashier at the grocery store was constant and never-changing until she retired a year before they closed their doors.

Anyone who knew Anna Jean could attest to her industrious nature. Time away from the store often found her outdoors, be that tractor mowing for the Chamber of Commerce or tending to her roses and tulips at home. Inside, she busied her hands knitting and crocheting blankets for her loved ones. In fact, she even weaved together the American Flag that found a home at the back of her church! Anna Jean didn't just attend Outer West Market Church in Palestine but selflessly served her Lord and His people through it. For a time, she sowed into the church's youth as a Sunday school teacher. This selfless servant was often the one who folded bulletins for Sunday worship, a gathering that almost always found her taking attendance at the back of the room.

Though she kept active while she could, she also made room for recreation. She was a talented baker whose banana bread and cookies filled her family with nourishment and her heart with joy. She also enjoyed coloring and doing word search and crossword puzzles, which brought her countless hours of entertainment. Her passion, however, was reading. For years, her home was like a library filled with romance novels. It could be said that the best chapters of Anna Jean Purcell's story were saturated with love for her family. We are thankful that this love has been written on our hearts, and we'll cherish this one-of-a-kind woman's memory until, by God's grace, we meet again!

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31st, at the Outer West Market Church of Christ in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1st, at the church, with Pastor Tim Watson officiating. Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery. In honor of her love of literature, memorial contributions may be made to either the "Palestine Public Library" or the "Palestine School Library", with envelopes available at the church. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine is in charge of arrangements.