Loretta Purnell

Loretta Purnell was born September 2, 1943, to the late Vernon Cook and Phyllis Robinson in Brooklyn, New York. Loretta is the second
child of seven.

Loretta graduated from Jason High School and later married the late Elmer W. Purnell of Seaford, Delaware. From that union, they conceived three children, Anita Y. Purnell-King (Wendell), E. Lamar Purnell (Kimberly), and Troy R. Purnell (India), all of Seaford, Delaware.

Loretta’s passion has always been in helping people, even before her acceptance of Christ in 1979. Her house was always open (literally) to anyone who needed food or shelter. The front door was rarely locked because everyone knew the house, and the Holy Spirit kept watch over the house for the last 45 years. She also served the Lord in many other capacities by being a choir member, Sunday school teacher, worship leader, and prayer warrior! She accepted the Lord at Clarence Street Church of God under the leadership of Reverend L.O. and Dotie Wynn. Last but not least, she was the Mother of New Beginnings Prophetic Progression Ministries.

She retired from physical labor as a cook for at-risk children where she was also their other mother!

Loretta is survived by her three children, Anita Y. Purnell-King (Wendell), E. Lamar Purnell (Kimberly), and Troy R. Purnell (India), all of Seaford, DE; six grandchildren, Tonya Purnell and Ashay Purnell, both of Seaford, DE, Kyle Davis of El Paso, TX, Rashad Harris of Los Angeles, CA, Cam’Ron Purnell of Millsboro, DE, and Valencia Correa of Rehoboth, DE; three great-grandchildren, Keziah Purnell and Kyliah Purnell, both of Seaford, DE, and Kyree Davis of Salisbury, MD; six sisters, Arnita Bacon and Gladys Brooks (Razac Disu), both of Bridgeville, DE, Barbara Cook of
Wilmington, DE, Vera Salters of Philadelphia, PA, and Carol Kellam (Bill) and Theresa Cook, both of Seaford, DE; and brother, Alvin Cook (Yuvette) of Waldorf, MD.
Acknowledgements go to her special cousins, Junior Cook and Gloria Cook, both of New York, as well many other cousins, nieces, and nephews. She held special love in her heart for Elizabeth Jenkins, Ruth Fletcher, Elaine Jenkins, Carol Williams, Esther Roberts, and her bestie, Charity Lake.

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