Laura Violet Purcell, 91, of Tall Timbers, MD died on March 19, 2009 at her home under Hospice Care.

Born on May 31, 1917 in Hermanville, MD, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Fannie Mae Shorter.

She was a life-long resident of St. Mary's County, a homemaker and was employed by the St. Mary's Board of Education as a food service worker for 18 years. She was a faithful parishioner at St. George's Episcopal Church, Valley Lee, MD serving on the Altar Guild and was a member of the ECW. Her many interests included gardening (her love for flowers), bird watching, and reading. She also enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at many family gatherings.

She is survived by her children, Nancy Johnson of Waldorf, MD; Lanette Cowles, husband John of Valley Lee, MD; Darlene Guy, husband Joe of Waldorf, MD; Joseph Purcell Jr., wife Sharon of Ridge, MD; Margaret Cook of Hollywood, MD, son-in-law Stephen Cook of Lexington Park, MD; Wanda Lukasik, husband Rick of Hollywood, MD, brothers; Andrew Shorter, wife Mary Jane of Towson, MD; Albert Shorter, wife Mary Lou of Leonardtown, MD and Charles Shorter, wife Margaret of Broomes Island, MD.
She has 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Albert and Fannie Shorter she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph M. Purcell Sr.; Sisters; Rose Saunders, Mae T. Thomas, Alice Henderson, Brothers; John, Tom and Richard Shorter; Grandson, Gary Johnson and son-in-law, Stan Johnson.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joseph Purcell III, Ricky Lukasik, James Tharp, Tommy Deagle, Lyn Henderson, and Robert Smith.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Stephen Cook, Larry Johnson and Cora McVey.

Family will receive friends on Monday, March 23, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in St. George's Episcopal Church, 19167 Poplar Hill Lane, Valley Lee, MD 20692 by the Reverend Greg Syler. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or to St. George's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 30, Valley Lee, MD 20692.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.