Ron Purnell

A memorial service for Ronald “Ron” Purnell will be held at a later date. Mr. Purnell, 74, of Kemper County, died Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at his home. Born in Mobile, Alabama, he was raised on the Dolphin Island Parkway. Mr. Purnell joined the U. S. Coast Guard at the age of 17, and spent 22 years, 6 months in service for our country. After leaving the Coast Guard he started over-the-road trucking from coast-to-coast. He drove production boats and worked on jack-up boats until retiring. He lived every day to the fullest until he got sick. He enjoyed running his backhoe and fishing. He loved his two dogs. Mr. Purnell was of Christian faith. Survivors include his wife, Sandra Purnell; son, Ronald Stephen Purnell, Jr. (Tina) of Columbia, MS; daughter, Karla Brune (Glenn) of Ocean Springs, MS; son, Andy Thompson of Escatawpa, MS; grandchildren; Jonathan Goff and Ramsey Pittman; brother, Jimmy Purnell of DeKalb, MS; several nieces, nephews and their families. Mr. Purnell was preceded in death by parents, James Purnell and Laura Levene; and sister, Jan Powell.