Dorothy D. Purcell

Dorothy Purcell, 95, of Decatur, Georgia passed away on April 9, 2020. Survivors include a daughter Cheryl Adams of Alpharetta, Georgia and a son, Mel Purcell of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by her daughter in law, Jane H. Purcell, and three grandchildren, Chris Adams, Kent Purcell (his wife Rebecca Purcell), and Blair P. Saale (her husband Mike Saale). She is also survived by two great grandsons, Andrew Saale and Matthew Saale. She was very close to her nephews and nieces including Roger Dimsdale, Lynn Amis, David Disney, Claudia Davis, Lanette Payne and Fred and Katy Lindquist. She also developed many friendships through her church, work at the Geargia Department of Labor and where she lived in Victoria Estates, Ridley Howard, Coventry Place and A. G. Rhodes.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Walter L. Purcell (son of a Methodist minister); her father J. L. Dimsdale; her mother, Theoria Dimsdale, and brothers Parks Dimsdale, Joe Dimsdale, Horace Dimsdale and sisters, Ruth Lindquist and Mamie Disney. Her grandson, Michael Adams, also predeceased her.

Dorothy was born March 19, 1925 in Alpharetta, Georgia and graduated from Milton High School. She moved to Atlanta and worked at Western Union and later General Motors. She married Walter L. Purcell on January 17, 1947. With the birth of her twins, she devoted herself to raising a family, teaching faith, family values and a strong work ethic. They transferred to Knoxville for several years and returned to Decatur where she lived for the rest of her life. She was a member of Ousley United Methodist Church for many years and had many friends there. Dorothy later moved her church membership to Decatur First Methodist Church and was active in Sunday School and church activities. She and her husband, Walter, were active in the community, actively supporting the church, and numerous philanthropic and charitable organizations including the YMCA, the Heart and Cancer Associations, Special Olympics, the United Methodist Foundation, and Kiwanis. In 1975 she went to work at the Georgia Department of Labor where she worked for 22 years and retired at age 72. She developed outstanding relationships with major employers in the Atlanta area. She received numerous awards including recognition as Employee of the Year in 1988. She moved from Ridley Howard Condominiums to independent living at Coventry Place in 2013 where she was very active, developing friendships and was part of the Welcoming Committee for new residents. In June 2019 she moved to A. G. Rhodes.

A memorial service will be arranged at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to Decatur First United Methodist Church or A. G. Rhodes- Wesley Woods.