Ms. Dorothy A. Purnell, age 68 of New York City, departed this life on Friday, May 18, 2012.

Dorothy, a daughter of the late Raymond Parker and Gussie Purnell, was born April 16, 1944 in Halifax County, NC and was lovingly reared by the John and Minerva Purnell.

Her education began at Ralph J. Bunche High School, Weldon, NC and she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree from Touro College of General Studies.

As a young child, she attended Twilight Baptist Church, Weldon, NC and after moving to New York, she joined Little Flowers Baptist Church. In 1977, she joined the Christian Fellowship of Southern Baptist Church and served as a missionary for several years and attended Sunday School faithfully as a diligent student of the Bible.

She was united in marriage to George Edward Turner and was the mother of three children.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her siblings: Johnnie Rooks, Jr., Joe Purnell, Horace Purnell, John Purnell, James Purnell and Daisy Hicks.

Dorothy is lovingly survived by her children: Sandra Purnell and Cleophus Purnell of New York, and Doris Purnell-Joe (Robbie) of New Jersey; fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchild; step-father: Johnnie Rooks, Sr. of Weldon, NC; her siblings: Katie McDonald of New York City, Bettie Peebles (James) of Weldon, NC, Barbara Rooks of East Orange, NJ, Doreatha Long (Rev. Lloyd Long) of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Margaret James-Mason (Daniel) of Henrico, NC, Thomas Rooks (fiance, Barbara) of Halifax, NC, James Rooks of Roanoke Rapids, NC and Jody Rooks (Lashawnda) of Atlanta, GA; devoted caretakers: Ruth Thompson, Dorett Antonie, Anita Kelly and Hyacinth Daniel; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. from the sanctuary of Twilight Missionary Baptist Church, Weldon, NC with the Pastor, Rev. Danny B. Jones, Sr., delivering the eulogy.

Interment will follow in the Crestview Memorial Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids, NC.

The Cofield Family and Staff extends their heartfelt sympathy and continued support to the Purnell Family during and after this period of bereavement.