The Life and Legacy

Juanita Diane Briddell is the second daughter born to Carolyn A. Purnell-Briddell and the late Charles E. Briddell on November 16, 1958, in Salisbury, Maryland. A proud graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, Class of 1976, she pursued cosmetology while in high school and continued her studies after graduation, earning her professional cosmetology license and junior manager license at Delmarva Beauty Academy. Juanita became restless in the profession and enrolled in college at Delaware State College. While in college, she was a member of the Delaware State Gospel Choir, a member of AKA Sorority Delta Lambda Chapter, and served many years on the Pan-Hellenic Council in various roles as Vice President and Treasurer. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Upon graduation, Juanita was hired in Dedham, MA, where she worked as a Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten teacher. While in the Dedham area, she lived with relatives Linda Purnell, Jamal and Saron Purnell.

Juanita was not a fan of cold weather and soon relocated back to the Maryland area. She was employed as a teacher at Salisbury Head Start Program. Her commitment to excellence was quickly recognized, and she was employed at Ocean City Elementary School in Worcester County. She was employed at Ocean City Elementary for four years and moved to Salisbury to live with her younger sister. Juanita soon grew weary of the travel back and forth from Salisbury to Ocean City and transferred to Wicomico County, working at Delmar Elementary, Beaver Run Elementary School, West Salisbury, East Salisbury, where she was promoted to Title 1 Instructor, and Willards Elementary, where she retired in November 2021.

While living in Salisbury, she attended church services at Wesley Temple United Methodist Church. She served diligently at Wesley Temple as a member of Christian Education, a choir member, coordinator of the Spouts program that worked with underserved children within the area, and a Chrysalis worker for Chesapeake Emmaus. Her desire for God's word and greater understanding inspired her to pursue a degree at Ray Chamberland Evangelistic School of Theology and complete her Master's Degree at Western Maryland College in Curriculum and Instruction. Juanita missed the open fields of Bethel and returned home to the area in 2007, where she faithfully served her home church of New Bethel United Methodist Church. Juanita was an active member in the choir, Lay Leader, and performed light secretary duties, typing the weekly church bulletins.

After retirement, Juanita strengthened her relationship with former teaching colleagues Maria Baker, Melody White and Andrea Harmon, working in her garden, planting flowers and volunteering as a substitute teacher in after-school programs.

She also enjoyed sending and texting with her Sorors. 

She will be lovingly remembered as the daughter of the late Charles Briddell and Carolyn A. Purnell-Briddell; sisters Cynthia Briddell-Howard and Charlene Briddell; nieces and nephews Jessica Howard, James Howard III, Jenea Howard and Caleb Howard; great-nieces Sophia Howard, Corin Howard and Mariatu Kamara; along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.

Juanita D. Briddell will be missed for her laughter, unwavering faith and joyous spirit. She brought joy to every room she entered and every person she met and will be missed by all who knew her.

Lovingly submitted, the Briddell-Purnell Family.