On October 15, 2024, Lawrence answered God's summons to join the Heavenly Choir.  He has been preparing for this position for 25 years and God deemed him ready to fill it.  He reviewed all the accomplishments that Lawrence has made to be qualified for this movement.

Lawrence was born on October 15,1967 in Salisbury, Md.  He was the youngest of 7 children born to Ruth and Roland Purnell of Fruitland.  He attended school in Wicomico County, graduated from Parkside High School in 1985 and continued his education at Salisbury State University where he obtained a degree in Music Performance.

Being the baby of the family, Lawrence sometimes seemed to feel that he was an "only" child.  When one of his siblings called to get information about anything, Lawrence's response was always prefixed by, "My Mother said".  He had to be reminded that his mother had other children.

Lawrence attended Mt. Cavalry Methodist Church in Fruitland and at a young age, often accompanied his brother, Lester, who was a pianist to other churches where he (Lawrence) was expected to sing.  As their relationship developed, Lawrence began to look up to his brother for guidance.  They both loved music and would often perform together in different churches.

In 1992, Lawrence responded to his calling into the ministry and graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. receiving a Master of Divinity Degree in 2000.

Reverend Purnell began his religious services at Wesley Temple United Methodist Church in Salisbury at which time he also developed a love for involvement in community services.  He was the Assistant Pastor at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Marion Station – 1996 – 2001.  He pastored at Rock Hall-Fairlee Charge in Kent County from 2001 -2009, Quantico – Hebron - Wetipquin from 2009 - 2017, and Seaford Charge from 2017 - 2024.

In each of his Charges, he was exceptionally active in Community and local government activities that were too numerous to list but it was especially important to him to be intimately involved in services for each community.

Reverend Purnell was called home 57 years after birth on the same date, leaving us to celebrate his birth and mourn his departure from this life simultaneously.  God's plan for him will take precedence and the Purnell brothers will again be performing together in that Heavenly Choir.  God has decided that his work on Earth is done, and he has fulfilled his duties to be eligible for his promotion to his placement with God.

He was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Orlando, Roland (Reggie) and Lester Purnell.

Lawrence leaves to mourn but cherish his memories, his wife, Dionne and son Lawrence Jr. (P.J.) of Salisbury, Md; 2 sisters: Selina Dickerson of Owings Mills, Md, and Cornella (Gerald) Harmon of Fruitland; 2 brothers: Oscar Purnell of Perryville, Md and Carlton Mills of Pennsylvania as well as a host of relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Reverend Purnell has requested donations be made to the Leukemia Foundation.

Prayerfully Submitted by

The Family

Leukemia Donations can be addressed at these links:

https://www.lls.org/ https://leukemiarf.org/