Lee Walsh

Lee Purnell Walsh, 75, died May 6 at The Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo following an extended illness.
She was a lifelong Tupeloan, living elsewhere only during college and when her husband, the late George William Walsh, was stationed in El Paso, Texas, serving as an officer in the U.S. Army.
Mrs. Walsh was born Nov. 4, 1934, the daughter of the late Raymond George Purnell and the late Elizabeth Mann Purnell.
She married George Walsh on July 14, 1956, and they were married 50 years, until his death Sept. 24, 2006.
Mrs. Walsh was a graduate of Tupelo High School, where she played basketball and was an honor student. In 1956, she graduated with honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, earning a degree in home economics and a minor in journalism.
She was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Mortar Board leadership honorary, and was a member of the synchronized swimming team.
Mrs. Walsh served two terms as president of the Tupelo Junior Auxiliary and was a life member of the organization. In addition, she was the longtime business manager of Tupelo Community Theatre.
Mrs. Walsh was an active and faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo, where she had served as moderator of Presbyterian Women, as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Worship Committee and a longtime member of the Fellowship Committee, working many times as the coordinator of church-wide meals and celebrations. She also had served as coordinator of Dinners for Eight, one of the church's fellowship ministries.
She was a member of the Chancel Flower Guild and the Mary and Martha Bible Study/Food Ministry, for bereaved and shut-in members.
She was an active participant in The Seekers Sunday School Class until her final illness.
Her community work also included support activities for Sanctuary Hospice House, especially its annual fundraiser, Celebration Village.
She was active in support of all the schools her children attended academic fundraisers, sports support groups, and intense backing for public education at every level in Tupelo.
Mrs. Walsh had served as a volunteer in the nationwide Campaign for Illinois, an endowment drive for her college alma mater. She was a life member of the Illinois Alumni Association, active in the Varsity I club and the University of Illinois Foundation.
She frequently attended the events in which her four grandsons participated.
She frequently and enthusiastically welcomed international students into her home Rotary International Exchange, Up With People members and coordinators, and international students from the University of Mississippi.
A gifted cook, she enjoyed hosting dinner parties for her friends and extended family, and participating with others in larger events. She assisted in the compiling and publication of the Tupelo Symphony cookbook.
She is survived by her children: Julie Walsh Seiler (Jim) of Tupelo; sons Mark William Walsh (Betsy) of Roanoke, Va., and Scott Purnell Walsh of Tupelo. She also is survived by her grandchildren, William Taylor Walsh and Parker Alexander Walsh of Roanoke; and, George Robert Seiler and Henry Scott Seiler of Tupelo.
She was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Ashley Elizabeth Walsh and Mae Walsh Seiler, and her longtime family employee and beloved friend, Daisy Adams.
Survivors also include her brother, Huge Purnell (Carolyn) of Maumelle, Ark; and sister-in-law Camille and Bill Caples of Tupelo.
She is survived by nephews and nieces George Purnell (Luann), West Point; Susie Purnell Randall, Jackson, Tenn, and Ray Purnell, West Point; Kirk Purnell (Shannon) and Sam Purnell of Oklahoma City; Lucy Purnell Nash (Steve) of Tupelo; and Dan Purnell (Robin), Lauryn Purnell, Lindsey Purnell and Daniel Purnell, all of Tupelo.
Four first cousins survive: Carol Lee Reiners Palmer (Jim), Evansville, Ind.; Jack Reiners (Joanne) Verona, Wisc.; Stan Reiners (Nancy), Houston, Texas; and, Jim Reiners (Nancy), Austin, Texas.
Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Friday, May 14, at the First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo. The Rev. Dr. Thomas P. Groome III will officiate. Interment later will be private.
W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 13, in McFadden Hall at First Presbyterian.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Bailey, Eddie Baker, Hank Boerner, Bill Caples, John Elliott, Dick Hill, Hugh Luckett, Pete McMurry, Gray Megginson, Gil Monaghan, Leighton Pettis, Frank Riley, Joe Rutherford, Jim Threldkeld, Presly Wallace, Jim Westbrook, Billy F. Wheeler, James Williams, and Bill Young, the Session of First Presbyterian Church, and members of the Fellowship Committee.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to First Presbyterian Church, P.0. Box 1725, Tupelo, MS 38802, or the Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main St., Tupelo, MS 38801, or another charity of the donors choosing.

Expressions of sympathy maybe left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com