Carl Daniel Purnell

Carl Daniel Purnell, age 87, of Pine Bluff, died Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born Nov. 14, 1925 in Pine Bluff, a son of the late John Sherman Purnell and Lois Daniel Purnell. Reared and educated in Pine Bluff, he graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1943. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Mr. Purnell worked for the Cotton Belt Railroad for 11 years prior to starting his own business in 1952. He was the former owner of Pine Bluff Motel, the Plantation Embers Restaurant, Stagecoach Motel in Hot Springs, and Purnell's Washateria and Mini Storage. He served two terms in the Arkansas State Legislature from 1957 through 1961. His entrepreneurial skills allowed him to enjoy his lifelong love of aviation, automobiles, and travel. Along with his parents, he was also predeceased by a sister, Aileen Purnell Davis, brothers, John Purnell and Thomas Purnell, and a grandson, Simon Purnell. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Jeanette Ware Purnell; four sons, John Andrew Purnell (Sandy) of Bethesda, MD, Carl Daniel Purnell Jr. (Margaret) of Jonesboro, Dr. Gary Purnell of Little Rock, and Jeff Purnell (Cynthia) of Hot Springs; a sister, Alice (Mrs. Morrell) Gathright of Pine Bluff; and five grandchildren, Eva Purnell of Bethesda, Md. Jessica Purnell of Jonesboro, Christopher Purnell of Little Rock, Miles Purnell of Dallas, Texas, Chase Purnell of Little Rock and Blake Purnell of Fayetteville. Graveside Services will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. in Bellwood Cemetery with Reverend Kenneth Thornton officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services, 1621 S. Cherry Street, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 6501 S. Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.