Obituary for Priscilla Noreene Purcell-Brown
Lovingly written by the family...
Priscilla Noreene Purcell-Brown, known to her beloved grandkids as Meemaw, was called home to her
Lord and Savior on December 31, 2022, claiming victory over her nearly five-year battle with breast
cancer. She was born in Webb City, MO on August 16, 1949 to the late Bob and Pat (Gary) Purcell.
Growing up in Asbury, she graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1967, became a cosmetologist in
1968 and later a licensed practical nurse in 1987. Priscilla married Jim Brown in 1969 and they had three
daughters.
After retiring from nursing, Priscilla began the hobby of researching genealogy and local history, going
on to published two books, Images of Joplin and Images of Webb City, as well as numerous newspaper
articles, short stories and historical video documentaries. One of Priscilla’s short stories, The Bell Hop,
gained her national recognition in 2011 and the International Society of Family History Writers and
Editors honored her with their Excellence in Writing award at their national conference in Charleston, SC.
She was a member of the Joplin Writers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, and served on the
Jasper County Cemetery board, and the Purcell Friends Cemetery and Peace Church Cemetery boards.
Priscilla’s creative soul was also fueled through a variety of arts and crafts, that she enjoyed sharing and
teaching with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and anyone who wanted to learn.
Priscilla was preceded in death by her parents, younger brother Randy Purcell (Carl Junction) and close
uncles Buster Gary (Joplin), Bob Gary (Springdale, AR) and Dennis Mellema (Chicago, IL). She is
survived by her three daughters Jamie Brown Hirshey (Joplin), Angel Brown (Joplin), Amber Brown
Bryan (Pittsville, MD); her beloved grandchildren, Courtney Burns LaTurner and husband Michael, Kyra
Hirshey, Ashlynn Bryan, Asher Bryan; great-grandchildren, Paul LaTurner, River LaTurner, Roman
LaTurner; and three sons-in-law, Erik Hirshey, Mike Forkner and Jacob Bryan. Additional survivors
include nephew Brandon Purcell, niece Cassie Purcell and a host of cousins and cherished life-long
friends.
Arrangements with Mason Woodard will include visitation on Thursday, January 5 th from 6:00 pm – 7:00
pm, funeral services on Friday January 6 th at 10:00 AM and interment at Friends Cemetery in Purcell.
Pallbearers will include Brandon Purcell, Rob Gary, David Russell, Mike Forkner, Michael LaTurner and
Erik Hirshey.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.
Services have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
Priscilla Noreene Purcell-Brown, known to her beloved grandkids as Meemaw, was called home to her
Lord and Savior on December 31, 2022, claiming victory over her nearly five-year battle with breast
cancer. She was born in Webb City, MO on August 16, 1949 to the late Bob and Pat (Gary) Purcell.
Growing up in Asbury, she graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1967, became a cosmetologist in
1968 and later a licensed practical nurse in 1987. Priscilla married Jim Brown in 1969 and they had three
daughters.
After retiring from nursing, Priscilla began the hobby of researching genealogy and local history, going
on to published two books, Images of Joplin and Images of Webb City, as well as numerous newspaper
articles, short stories and historical video documentaries. One of Priscilla’s short stories, The Bell Hop,
gained her national recognition in 2011 and the International Society of Family History Writers and
Editors honored her with their Excellence in Writing award at their national conference in Charleston, SC.
She was a member of the Joplin Writers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, and served on the
Jasper County Cemetery board, and the Purcell Friends Cemetery and Peace Church Cemetery boards.
Priscilla’s creative soul was also fueled through a variety of arts and crafts, that she enjoyed sharing and
teaching with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and anyone who wanted to learn.
Priscilla was preceded in death by her parents, younger brother Randy Purcell (Carl Junction) and close
uncles Buster Gary (Joplin), Bob Gary (Springdale, AR) and Dennis Mellema (Chicago, IL). She is
survived by her three daughters Jamie Brown Hirshey (Joplin), Angel Brown (Joplin), Amber Brown
Bryan (Pittsville, MD); her beloved grandchildren, Courtney Burns LaTurner and husband Michael, Kyra
Hirshey, Ashlynn Bryan, Asher Bryan; great-grandchildren, Paul LaTurner, River LaTurner, Roman
LaTurner; and three sons-in-law, Erik Hirshey, Mike Forkner and Jacob Bryan. Additional survivors
include nephew Brandon Purcell, niece Cassie Purcell and a host of cousins and cherished life-long
friends.
Arrangements with Mason Woodard will include visitation on Thursday, January 5 th from 6:00 pm – 7:00
pm, funeral services on Friday January 6 th at 10:00 AM and interment at Friends Cemetery in Purcell.
Pallbearers will include Brandon Purcell, Rob Gary, David Russell, Mike Forkner, Michael LaTurner and
Erik Hirshey.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.
Services have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary.