Denise Purcell

Denise Brannen Purcell, 63, entered into her heavenly home on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast after an extended illness. She was born August 14, 1955 to William E. and Irmgard Brannen. Denise grew up in Glennville, where she attended the First Baptist Church and was very active. God blessed Denise with many amazing gifts of talent, such as playing the piano, guitar, violin and organ, singing, leading musicals, writing songs and poems. She was also an amazing artist with her paintings and drawing. Her creativeness led her to do and accomplish many things in life such as creating her Spirit Trail Creations cards that she drew by hand and sent that touched many people's hearts. However as she used her right brain for her creative gifts, God doubly blessed her to use her left brain for science and logic. While in high school she won many science competitions which took her to Chicago and San Diego to win awards for her research. Denise was a 1973 Glennville High School graduate and then went on to graduate from Georgia Southern College with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology while also teaching at the college. She later received her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Troy State University. Denise used her degree working as a social service benefit coordinator for the sick and disadvantaged in Tattnall County and then later a clinical director for a large nursing home in Savannah. She worked in Germany as a drug and alcohol counselor for a whole U.S. Battalion, after Germany she worked for CARE (Chemical Addiction Recovery Effort) in five Florida counties where she taught multiple offender classes while also teaching at Troy State University. One of Denise's favorite past times was being an active member of the Child like Society for grownups. She loved Jesus and her love for him spilled over everywhere and to everyone and she always made fast friends no matter where she was. As her physical challenges increased and she could no longer leave her home, God still found a way for her to touch lives, whether it was bringing people into her home or reaching out to people on the phone. Denise will always be remembered for her captivating smile and her eyes that captured the heart. Everyone who ever met her knew they were loved and her love came from Jesus, a love that could light up any room she was in.
"May the Good Lord be with you
wherever you go
And your blessings be more
than the Shamrocks that grow;
May joy and laughter color
your journey every day
And True Love be your love
each step of the way!"

Denise Brannen Purcell
March 2007

Left to cherish her memory:

Husband, Ronald Purcell of Destin, Florida

Mother, Irmgard H. Brannen of Chaska, Minnesota

Children adopted by heart: Eric & Lisa Tucker of Gander, Virginia

Sister, Terri B. Kaiser of Chaska, Minnesota

Brother, Franz Zuber (Ester) of Frankfurt, Germany

Sister by heart, Mauri Nyberg (Ron) of Grandforks, North Dakota

Mother-in-law, Merriam Purcell

Sister-in-law, Karen Walker (Randy) all of Glennville, Georgia

Brother-in-law, Jimmy Purcell (Norma) of Prattville, Alabama

Several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm, Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Brannen-Kennedy Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 pm, Thursday, December 20, 2018 at the chapel of Brannen-Kennedy Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Howard officiating. Burial will follow in the Glennville City Cemetery.