Virgina Mae Purcell, 77, of Festus died Dec. 7, 2017, at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County. Mrs. Purcell taught band and music education for 47 years. She taught at Fox, Festus and Our Lady and retired from the Jefferson R-7 school district after 33 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Festus/Crystal City, the Missouri State Teachers Association and the Jefferson County retired teachers. Born Dec. 18, 1939, in Festus, she was the daughter of the late Della Marie (Hayes) and Chester Roberson.
She is survived by two sons: Jay (Rachel) Purcell of La Jolla, Calif., and Chris Purcell of Largo, Fla.; a sister: Nancy L. (Curt) Ash of south St. Louis County, four grandchildren: Shannon (Johnny) Mitchell of Herculaneum, David C. Purcell of St. Louis, Lauren Purcell of California and Hailey Purcell of California; four great-grandchildren: Dalton, Emma and Kylee Stegall and Beau Mitchell; her partner and caregiver, Jim Long of Belleville, Ill.; and her beloved Shih Tzu, Maddie.
A funeral service was held Dec. 11 at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus, officiated by the Rev. Cody Alley. Burial was in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.