Salisbury-Roxie Purnell (Marie) Connelly, 75, died Sunday, March 29, 2015 at her son’s home in Plant City.
Born in Bishopville, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Elisha and Linda (Waples) Purnell. She was a lifelong learner and educator for the Worcester County Public School System for 34 years. She was a dedicated member of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Salisbury, Maryland. Her partnership with the Maryland Food Bank helped to ensure that meals were provided to the hungry.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Lewis M. Connelly; son, Patrick M. (Marie) Connelly Sr.; grandsons, Mark C. (Tiffany), Quentin, Andre and Patrick M. (P.J.) Connelly Jr.; great-granddaughters, Trinity, Taylor and Camryn Connelly; brother, Rev. Dr. Bennie Purnell; sisters, Catherine Armstrong (Edward), Estella Parker (Kenneth), Linda Purnell Cook and Wanda Tucker; brothers-in-law, James Connelly, Rev. Thomas Connelly Jr., Rev. David Connelly (Dorothy) and Ulysses Connelly (Rosalyn); sisters-in-law, Dorothy Smith, Tommisena, Jackie, Louise and Yvonnie Connelly, Debra Snow (Ray) and Beverly Edwards (Harrie); one god-sister; three-goddaughters; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held April 11, 2015, at New Dimensions Ministries in Salisbury. Interment at Springhill Memory Gardens in Hebron, Maryland. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Postell’s Mortuary in Orlando, and Jolley Memorial Chapel in Salisbury.