Kelly Purtee

Kelly Marie Purtee 45, of Jonesboro died Friday May 5, 2006 at her home following a lengthy battle with Leukemia.

Kelly was born March 4, 1961 in Fayetteville, Arkansas and as an infant moved to Forrest City, Arkansas with her family. In early elementary school she moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas where she lived the remainder of her life. She was an honor graduate of Nettleton High School and received Bachelor of Science Degrees from Arkansas State University in Nursing and Secondary Education. She was a member of Forest Home Church of the Nazarene.

She was employed as District Nurse for Nettleton Public Schools and prior to that had been employed in pediatric nursing care for The Children’s Clinic and St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center.

Kelly spent her adult life working with children. She was a Board Member, President and Secretary of Our Kids Count Coalition of Craighead County. She co-directed the Forest Home Children’s Choir for 15 years and participated in numerous causes to promote the proper health and well-being of children.

Survivors include her husband, Steve Purtee, daughters, Laura Purtee and Rachel Purtee of the home; father and step-mother, Claude and Helen Parton of Jonesboro; her mother, Hope Elder Spragins of Batesville and a brother and his wife, Clint and Patti Parton of Jonesboro. She is also survived by mother-in-law, Betty Purtee of Jonesboro; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ronnie and Deb Stallings, Larry and Connie Gibson, Larry and Mary Jo Wiles all of Jonesboro; and nieces and nephews, Mallory Grace Parton, Matt Stallings, Mark and Beth Silverthorn, Mike Gibson and Mark Gibson all of Jonesboro.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joe and Dale Parton of Piggott; Vilas and Marie Elder of Piggott; step-father, Dr. C Fitzhugh Spragins of Batesville and father-in law, Willie Purtee of Jonesboro.

Funeral Services will be 10:00am Monday at Forest Home Church of the Nazarene in Jonesboro with Rev. Ken Stallings officiating. Burial will follow at Keller’s Chapel Cemetery in Jonesboro with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers are Clint Parton, Ronnie Stallings, Larry Gibson, Larry Wiles, Steve Brown, and Mike Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Faculty, Staff and Students of Nettleton Public Schools.

The family will receive friends from 5 -7 pm Sunday at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family request you please consider Forest Home Church of the Nazarene 1922 Race Street Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.