Nellie M. Purdy's Obituary
Nellie Mellisa Purdy, daughter of John and Annie Hart Stokes, was born December 20, 1902, in Laclede County, Missouri. She passed away from this life and her frail body to a life eternal on Monday, January 23, 2006, in Christian Healthcare North, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of one hundred three years, one month, and three days. On December 31, 1922, she was united in marriage to Joseph Henry Purdy, and to this union two daughters were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; a brother, Orville Stokes; a sister, Ona Hays; and two half-brothers, Charley and Grover Dunn. Nellie is survived by two daughters, Joan Pline, and Helen Lillard, both of Lebanon, Missouri; five grandchildren, Cherry Carrel, and her husband, John, of Jefferson City, Missouri, Mike Reading, and his wife, Janet, of Lebanon, Missouri, Charley Reading, of Bennett Spring, Missouri, Doran “D. J.” Pline, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Mary Springer, of Republic, Missouri; eight great-grandsons, Nathan Carrel, now serving as a medic in the U. S. Army and stationed in Baghdad, Alex Carrel, of Dallas, Texas, Steven Carrel, of Columbia, Missouri, Josh Reading, of Lebanon, Missouri, Ben Reading, of Springfield, Missouri, Patrick Springer, of Springfield, Missouri, Matthew Springer, of Aurora, Missouri, and Joseph J. Pline, of Cherokee, Kansas; a great-granddaughter, Emily Ann Pline, of Cherokee, Kansas; twelve great-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born and raised in Phillipsburg, Missouri. After living in Niangua, Missouri for several years, she and Joe moved to Laclede County where they made their home on the Mill Creek farm, just outside of Lebanon, for sixty-nine years. They were the first ones to grow small grain for thrashing. They enjoyed their cattle and other animals, like sheep and goats. The farming was all done with horses, until the tractor. Nellie had a large flock of laying hens and sold the eggs to the Cackle Hatchery. She loved her garden, flowers and yard until her health and eyes failed, then she could only feed her hummingbirds. She played a strong and important role in her family and grandchildren’s lives. She had a sharp memory for details, names, and events, and was a resource person when someone in the family needed information. She was very concerned for all her family’s well being and had a great love for and enjoyment of her grandchildren. She also loved and considered Doug and Jan Winterrowd and their sons as part of her family. Nellie came to know Christ at a young age and joined the Presbyterian Church in Phillipsburg, Missouri. Later she attended Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church until her eyesight failed. Nellie was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2006, in the Holman-Howe Chapel. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Memorial contributions to Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church may be made through the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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