Sharon Ruth (Lee) Purcell

Sharon Ruth Purcell was born in Cleveland Ohio on March 18, 1949 and passed away in Newark, Texas surrounded by her family September 14, 2022 at 4:44 p.m.

At age 16 she worked with David Wilkerson and Teen Challenge in New York City. Sharon’s love for the Lord and genuine love for people welcomed many to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  

She graduated from North Olmstead High School in 1967 and attended South Western Assemblies of God College in Waxahachie, Texas. It is here that she met her husband, Donald Ray Purcell of 53 years. They were married March 18, 1968. Donn enlisted in the military that same year. 

Sharon’s daughter Ruthie, was born in 1969 at Fort Gordon, Georgia and her son, Doniphan was born at Fort Carson, Colorado in 1971.  As a mother and wife she supported her husband and cared for her children maintaining a home front which included 20 years of Donn’s military service, of which he served abroad in the Vietnam War, Korea, Honduras and Europe. No doubt she had moving down to a “T”.  She moved her family 9 times in 20 years of Donn’s military service alone. Frequent moves, did not prevent her from keeping an immaculately clean house and squeaky clean kids. 

Sharon was first a wife and mother, but she was also a writer, an artist and a beautiful singer. As a soprano, her voice was angelic and soothing. She loved to worship the Lord. She had a beautiful smile and gave the warmest hugs. She was always willing to apologize when she was wrong; even to her children. She was an amazing listener; listening beyond the words spoken to the heart of the matter. This enabled her to pray powerfully for people and boy, did the Lord answer her prayers!!! Sharon was also a lot of fun. She could ham it up with the best of us. She loved shopping and movies too. What she loved most though was spending time with Jesus and her family. 

She is survived by her husband Donn, her daughter Ruthie, her son Doni, her brother Bob, and her sister Sandra. She had 9 grandkids, 11 great grandkids and was the aunt, great aunt and great great aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded by her parents Vincenzo James and Evelyn Hulda Lee and her sister Charlotte Jones. 

“Beloved brothers and sisters, we want you to be quite certain about the truth concerning those who have passed away, so that you won’t be overwhelmed with grief like many others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who died while believing in him.”  1 Thessalonians 4:13-14  

Although flowers are welcome we are asking for donations to sparkworldwide.org placing “Sharon Purcell” in the note section. This is for a Water Well in India to provide life giving water to those in need as a memorial to Sharon. The Water Well will bear her name. The cost of the Water Well is $2500. Thank you for helping us continue Sharon’s legacy.