Rita Purnell

Rita Purnell, 65, passed away on March 8, 2022, at her home in Kansas City. Rita was born on July 3, 1956, in Kansas City, to Jobie Daniel Smith and Joyce Evelyn Smith.

Rita attended Women’s Employment  Network in Kansas City, where she received at certificate in Office Administration. Rita began work for Mason & Plaster Tenders as a Secretary where she worked for two years, along with various other employment ventures, ultimately deciding and primarily be a homemaker.

Rita married Leroy Purnell on August 24, 1996, in Kansas City, they were happily married for eight years.

Rita was preceded into death by her mother, Joyce E. Shobe, her daughter Angela D. Miller, her husband Leroy Purnell, and sister Debra Smith.

Rita is survived by her father Jobie D. Smith (Roberta), her daughter Latonya Loudermilk, three grandchildren; Darrien D. Miller, Sydne A. Miller, Sanai K. Suffern, five sisters; Brend Childs (N. James), Virgie Elbert, Patricia Elbert, Sandra Hood, Yvette Walker, four brothers; Frank Elbert (Renee’), Brian Smith, David Shobe, Joel Smith(Katrina) cousin and close friend Ray Smith.