Private Graveside services for family only will be at 9:00 a.m. Monday, September 23, 2013 at Forrest Cemetery and will be followed by a public memorial service to be held at 10:00 a.m. at Rainbow Presbyterian Church for Mrs. Dean Purkey, 74, of Gadsden, who passed away Friday, September 20, 2013. Rev. Robbie Hendrick will officiate. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.
Mrs. Purkey was born and raised in Tennessee. She was the first secretary for Westminster Christian School and she was the Administrative Secretary at the Baptist Hospital and later retired from the State of Alabama. She was a loving Christian, wife, and mother dedicated to serving the Lord, her family, church and others.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Ethel Lippard; and sister, Betty Quinn.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Purkey; daughter, Sharon Purkey Sherrill; and son, Mike (Donna) Purkey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rainbow Presbyterian Building Fund.
The family will receive friends after the memorial service.
Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.
