Vivian Purnell

Vivian Sloan Purnell was born March 10, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the third of 5 children born to the late William G. and Dovetta Ross Sloan. She transitioned from this earthly life on Thursday, May 21, 2020, surrounded by her loved ones. Vivian attended the Nicholas Copernicus School, was a 1953 graduate of Robert Lindbloom Technical School, and attended Textile Elliott School of Dress Design. Before marriage she was employed as an operator with Illinois Bell Telephone Company, Illinois Research Hospital as a certified nursing assistant and the Illinois Unemployment Division as a claim examiner. As a young teen Vivian was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit under the pastorate of her uncle the late Elder Brady Robinson. She worked in the church as an illustrative artist and various other capacities. On April 30, 1955 she united in Holy Matrimony to Jester Purnell. Together they were blessed with 48 years of marriage, and 8 children added unto their union. Vivian was blessed with many spiritual gifts and talents. She worked faithfully by her husband's side in the ministry until his passing. Vivian Sloan Purnell was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bishop Jester Purnell; her parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; sister, Dovetta Marie Sloan Price; brother, Walter Sloan; granddaughter, Samantha Renee Gordon; and daughter-in-law, Latrice Wren Purnell. Still to cherish her memory are sons and daughters-in-law, Donald Purnell, Elder Darrell (Dixie) Purnell, Vinson Maurice Purnell, Suffragan Bishop J. Glenn (Lauren) Purnell, and William Sloan (Jessica) Purnell; daughters and son-in-law, Rhonda Renee Purnell-Gordon (Suffragan Bishop Ivan R. Gordon, Sr.), Karen Antoinette Purnell, Waleeta Lynn Purnell-Spencer, and Marsha Jean Purnell-Thompson; grandchildren, Nicole Latreese Gordon, Ivan R, Gordon, Jr., (Rachael), Vashni Latoya (Gideon) Ofisi, Courtney Danielle Purnell, Vivian Rose Purnell, Xavier Leal-Oshea Purnell, Dorthia Elizabeth Annie Purnell, Jester Glenn "DJ" Purnell, Antonio Purnell, Alleyah Purnell, Sabrina Michele Spencer, William Sloan "Jovan" Purnell, Savion Clayton Purnell, Ra'chelle Aneil Quinn, and Jordan Christopher Thompson; great-grandchildren, Laila Imani Gordon, and Elijah Ofisi; sisters, Gwendolyn Wooten and Yvonne Stevenson; sisters-in-law, Bertha Buggs, Dean Williams, Eula Dennis, Wanita Purnell, Helen (Johnnie) Johnson, and Judy (Eddie) Thomas; Jane Carrington, Debra Purnell, and Eva Purnell; brothers-in-law, L.D. Purnell and Jerry (Susie) Purnell; and a host of relatives. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 6, 2020 from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. A private family service will follow at 12:00 p.m. All services will be held at Bethlehem Temple Church, 1432 South 13th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana, Suffragan Bishop J. Glenn Purnell, senior pastor. Arrangements entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory, and Smith, Bizzell and Warner Funeral Home, Sylvester Dunn, Burial Roselawn Funeral Home.