Earl Winston Purcell, Jr.

Earl Winston Purcell, Jr., 76, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Hospice of South Georgia after an extended illness surrounded by his loving family.

A resident of Wayne County for most of his life, Winston was born on December 21, 1948 to the late, Earl Winston Purcell, Sr. and Carolyn Wasdin Purcell.  He was educated in the Wayne County School System, graduating from Wayne County High School in the Class of 1966.  After graduation, Winston attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before enlisting in the National Guard where he proudly served his country for six years.  He returned home and began a career as a pipefitter.  Winston worked for Rayonier and had also worked with the UA Local 177 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union in Brunswick.  He retired in 2020 after nearly thirty-five years of service at Rayonier.  Winston was a devoted member of the Altamaha Baptist Church.  Over the years he had served in many capacities including Sunday School Teacher and Deacon Emeritus but he was always available to lend a helping hand with any project that was ongoing.  Winston loved his children and his grandchildren.  He gladly devoted his most precious resource to them, his time.  He loved being outdoors, hunting and fishing especially and he always shared this love with the younger members of his family including several special nephews that were more like sons to him.  Winston volunteered his time coaching youth football and baseball and he was a lifelong avid Georgia Bulldogs fan. In addition to his parents, his son, Hugh Winston Purcell, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-four years, Janice Logan Purcell of Jesup; two children, Shala Wingate of Jesup and Justin Purcell and wife, Julie of Jesup; two grandchildren, Paul Purcell and wife, Lily Beth and Asher Wingate all of Jesup and siblings, Jerry Purcell and wife, Terri of Mobile, Alabama, Randy Purcell and wife, Kathy of Odum, Donna and Ike Pye of Odum and Jeff and Teresa Purcell of Warrenton, Georgia. A special sister-in-law, Sandra Cooper of Odum and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.

Funeral services will be at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Altamaha Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Paul Purcell, Asher Wingate, Silas Brantley, Brandon Purcell, Sean Ogden and Chad Dent.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Altamaha Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd. Jesup, GA 31545.

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