Helen Purcell passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, in Lexington.
Born April 14, 1918 to the late Harry and Mollie Hughes Henry, she was the widow of Theodore Purcell.
Surviving in death is her son, Ted (Penny) Purcell of Flemingsburg; daughter, Dr. Carolyn Purcell of Lexington; three grandchildren, Drew Purcell of Lexington, Amber Tolle of Maysville and John Ashley Black of Flemingsburg; one sister-in-law, Anna May Henry; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Emmett Preston Henry and Harry Hughes Henry; and her sister, Emma Jane Henry.
Helen had three great loves in her life. One great love was for children. She served as a foster grandmother for Fleming County school children for many years, well into her eighties. At 80, she quipped, "Both my children are retired and I'm still working." Her second love was church music, especially the old hymns. From her early thirties she played piano for her church, Oakland Mills United Methodist Church in Nicholas County, Helena Methodist Church in Mason County, and Flemingsburg First United Methodist Church in Fleming County. Her third great love was laughter, As a teen she played the clown in school plays, and until the end of her long and full life, she read the comics and the obituaries (to see if she was there). One of her recent doctors said he loved to have her come in because she was joyful.
Services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 8, 20089, at the Flemingsburg First United Methodist Church in Fleming County, with Rev. Ben Cain officiating.
Visitation for Mrs. Purcell will be 6-8 p.m., today, Jan. 7, 2009, at the Denton-Workman Funeral Home in Flemingsburg.
Interment will be in the Elizaville Cemetery at Elizaville following the services Thursday.
Memorials may be made to Flemingsburg First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
