Helen Pirkle Purcell

Helen Pirkle Purcell of Calhoun, Ga. passed away July 17, 2011, at home after an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Purcell, M.D. who died in 2001. She was born in Hoschton, Ga. to James Princeton and Viola Arther Pirkle and resided in Calhoun for more than sixty years. Helen was a graduate of the University of Georgia and also attended Piedmont College. She was active in Calhoun First United Methodist Church and served the church in many capacities. She was a home economist and homemaker, who loved to cook for friends and family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Catherine Johnston and is survived by her sister, Mary Sue Robinson of Jefferson, Ga. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Carol Land and her husband, Tim of Jefferson, Ga.; Jim Purcell and his wife, Annie of Augusta Ga.; Nan Hall and her husband, Larry of North Augusta, S.C.; Joel Purcell and his wife, Sarah of The Woodlands, Tx.; and Beth Goble and her husband, Jan of Calhoun, Ga. She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren: Ben Land, Rebecca Land Shumaker, John Land, James Purcell, Jr., Mary Helen Purcell, Charles Purcell, Anna Lydia Purcell, Matthew Hall, Steven Hall, Samuel Purcell, Katie Purcell, Luke Purcell, Patrick Goble, Andrew Goble, Mary Catherine Goble Tritt, and William Goble. She is survived by fifteen great-grandchildren: Garrett Land, Wyatt Land, Emily Shumaker, Meredith Shumaker, Isaac Shumaker, Caleb Shumaker, Samantha Land, Natalie Land, Madelyn Goble, Carter Goble, Stella Goble, Eli Tritt, Jonah Tritt, Molly Goble, and June Goble. A celebration of the life of Helen Purcell will be held Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at the Calhoun First United Methodist Church with Dr. Brian Clark officiating. Interment will follow at Chandler Cemetery. Grandsons will act as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry House, Dick Inman, Bert Lance, Bill Mathews, Jimmy Mathews, Jimmy Prater, Joe Ragsdale, Pat Thornton, and Paul Whittemore. The family will receive friends at Thomas Funeral Home on Monday, July 18, 2011, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Calhoun First United Methodist Church or any charity. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Helen Pirkle Purcell.