Roxie Purnell (Marie) Connelly, 76, died Sunday, March 29, 2015 at her son's home in Plant City, Florida.

Born in Bishopville, MD, she was the daughter of the late Elisha and Linda (Waples) Purnell.

She received her formal education in the public schools of Worcester County, graduating from the former Worcester High School.  Upon graduation she matriculated at the former Bowie State Teacher's College, now Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland, receiving a B.S. degree in Elementary Education.  She did further studies at University of Maryland, Eastern Shore and the former Salisbury State College, now Salisbury University, receiving a Master's degree and her certification as a Special Education teacher.

She was a life-long learner and Educator for the Worcester County Public School System for 34 years.  After retiring as a Special Education teacher in 1995, she continued impacting lives as the Home School Liaison at West Salisbury Elementary School in Wicomico County from 1995 until her demise.  She was the president of the Salisbury Advisory Council of Youth Activities and was one of the longest tenured presidents of the Worcester County Retired School Personnel.

She was a dedicated member of St. Paul A. M. E. Zion Church in Salisbury, MD.  She faithfully served in many capacities, including the local Director of Christian Education, Mid-Day Circle of Prayer, and the Soup Kitchen.  Her partnership with the Maryland Food Bank helped to ensure that meals were provided to the hungry.  She was also the District Director of Christian Education for the Philadelphia Eastern Shore District of the Philadelphia/Baltimore Conference of the A.M. E. Zion Church.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years: Lewis M. Connelly of Salisbury; one son: Patrick M. (Marie) Connelly, Sr.; four grandsons: Mark C. (Tiffany), Quentin, Andre, and Patrick M. (P.J.) Connelly, Jr.; three great-granddaughters: Trinity, Taylor and Camryn Connelly; one brother: Rev. Dr. Bennie Purnell of Pikesville, MD; four sisters: Catherine (Edward) Armstrong of Fairfield, CA, Estella (Kenneth) Parker of Lanham, MD, Linda Purnell Cook of Seaford, DE, Wanda Tucker of Salisbury, MD; five brothers-in-law: James Connelly, Rev. Thomas Connelly, Jr., Rev. David (Dorothy) Connelly, Ulysses (Rosalyn) Connelly; seven sisters-in-law: Dorothy Smith, Tommisena, Jackie, Louise and Yvonnie Connelly, Debra (Ray) Snow and Beverly (Harrie) Edwards;  one god-sister; three-goddaughters and a host of nieces and nephews.


A funeral service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, April 11, 2015 at New Dimensions Ministries, 1907 Jersey Road, Salisbury, MD. A viewing will be held from 5:30-7:30 on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at St. Stephen A.M.E. Church in Leesburg, FL; on Friday, April 10, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 pm at St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Salisbury, MD, and on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at New Dimensions Ministries, one hour prior to service.    Interment will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2015 at Springhill Memory Gardens in Hebron, MD.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Postell's Mortuary in Orlando, FL and Jolley Memorial Chapel in Salisbury, MD.

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