Mary E Purcell

Services will be at 3 p.m. on May 7, 2011, at Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Dr. Chester Beavers and Pastor Bradley Spears officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Purcell was born Sept. 6, 1911, in Overton to Carrie Baker Gilliam and George W. Gilliam. As a young girl, she grew up on a farm in Weatherford, where her family owned a dairy, raised chickens and sold milk and eggs to the local grocery stores.

During most of her life, she worked as a men's tailor and seamstress. In the 1950s, Mary owned an alteration shop and provided service for all the men's clothing stores in Downtown Amarillo. After closing her shop, she was employed in the men's alteration department by Harry Hollands, White & Kirk, Sakowitz and Colberts Harry Holland and retired in the mid-70's at the age of 76.

Mary loved to garden and sew and was busy making aprons until her death. She was a member of Southwest Baptist Church and loved listening to gospel music, Each year, Mary would read her Bible from Genesis through Revelation.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, James R. Purcell in 2005; and three brothers, George Gilliam, Menard Gilliam and Hamil Gilliam.

Survivors include a son, Wayne Purcell and wife Barbara of Amarillo; a daughter, Doris Adkins and husband William Adkins of Sweetwater; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo