“In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.”
On Thursday, July 23rd 2026 at 2:05 a.m., Delores Irene Purnell, 89, spread her butterfly wings and flew to her heavenly home.
She was born, December 13, 1936 in Everett, PA a daughter of the late Ned and Elenora (Strait) Knepper. She grew up on the family farm, running barefoot, collecting 5 and 6 leaf clovers, and learning to care for her family and beloved animals.
She met her future husband, James Franklin Purnell, when he worked as a milk tester. She noted he had a Bible with his things and knew he would make a good husband, so she smiled at him and made him cream puffs to win his heart. They were married at Center Church on May 11, 1957.
As a dairy farmer’s wife, she worked alongside her husband, and tended to her children, while keeping a large garden from which she preserved all the food to sustain a large family. She was known for her fresh bread, cinnamon rolls, baked goods, and delicious pies which she kindly shared with others. Her immaculate flowerbeds contained a wide variety of dahlias, hollyhocks, delphiniums, morning glories and wild flowers interspersed amongst them. Even her vegetable garden had red Poppies and Snow on the Mountain growing amongst the vegetables.
She taught Sunday School and VBS with Wells Valley UMC and encouraged others in their walk with the Lord. She was known to send many letters and cards in which she took the time to share sweet sentiments to uplift and encourage others.
She taught us to find the beauty in the ordinary, often pointing out wildflowers, birds, and the way the light would shine “just right” on the hills and mountains. She delighted in God’s handiwork in nature. She counted migratory birds for the Audubon Society and was often found with her field glasses in hand.
She loved her time with her grandchildren and would often have them working alongside her in the garden, taking golf cart rides, and telling them bedtime stories she made up about the adventures of a girl named “Daffodil.”
She was predeceased by her husband, James in 2016 and her sister Nancy.
Surviving are her children Diana Jones Cosey and husband Ray, of Chambersburg, PA, Richard Purnell and wife Lori Jo of Waterfall, PA, Lisa Noll and husband David, of St Thomas, PA, Michael Purnell and wife Drema of Wells Tannery, PA, Glenda Akers and husband Gregory, of Everett, PA, and Becky Dennis of York, PA, 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Ellis of Waterfall, PA.
Arrangements are by the M. R. Brown Funeral Home, Hustontown, PA. Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Please consider a donation in her memory to Samaritan’s Purse, The National Audubon Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or make a pie for a neighbor in need.
Well done my Good and Faithful Servant…
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Delores, please visit the floral store.
