Wynelle "Nell" Purcell

Mrs. Wynelle “Nell” Henderson Purcell, 93, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at her home. Mrs. Purcell was born in Jamieson, Florida to the late Terry and Merle Whitfield Henderson. She was a 1949 graduate of Wayne County High School, received her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State College for Women and received both a Master in Educational Administration and Master in Educational Reading from Georgia Southern College. Mrs. Nell was a teacher for over six years, worked in the office of the board of education for seven years, served a principal of Bryan County Elementary School for 13 years and served on the Bryan County Board of Education for four years.

During her time in education, Mrs. Purcell served as chairperson and member of the Regional Mental Health Board, was a member and past president of the first district of Elementary School Principals and served as President of the Georgia Retired Educators Association for the Bryan/Evans Unit in 1996 and 1998. She was the recipient of the First District Elementary Principals Award, the Distinguished Educator award in 2000/2001 and the Georgia Retired Educators Association Leadership Award in 2002. Mrs. Nell was also a mentor at Lanier Primary School, volunteered at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital and was a tax aide for the AARP since 1999.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Purcell was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Bobby K. Purcell.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne Purcell (Debra) of Midway and Owen Purcell (Cynthia) of Pembroke; two sisters, Beth Eades of Valdosta and Rosemary Robertson of Tallahassee, FL.; five grandchildren, Lauren Purcell of Midway, Katie Ortin (Henry) of Savannah, Bobby Purcell (Hannah) of Statesboro, Maggie Paul (Cory) of Albany and Zachary Purcell of Savannah; two great grandchildren, Olivia and Walker Purcell of Statesboro.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Flanders Powell Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Northside Cemetery.

To sign the online register, please visit www.flanderspowellfuneralhome.com.

Flanders Powell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Wynelle “Nell” Henderson Purcell.