Marie Frances LeBlanc Purnell

Surrounded by her beloved family, Marie Frances LeBlanc Purnell was seven days short of her 81st birthday when she died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007. Loyal, honest, caring, kind and gentle, Marie sought all that was positive and good during her lifetime. Her end to life is mourned by all who knew, respected, loved and held her with devoted esteem. Many have expressed their anguish and sorrow. Her generosity and strong commitment to goodness will continue to inspire her family and friends. She came into this world on Sept. 2, 1926, in Baton Rouge as Marie Frances LeBlanc, the first of two daughters born to Numa Joseph and Lady Picou LeBlanc. She was followed in birth six years later by a sister, Joyce Eleanor LeBlanc. Christened and baptized at St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church, she was and continued to be an active and devout Catholic member. Following graduation from St. Francis Xavier Elementary and McKinley High schools, Marie opted to continue higher education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where she received a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She was married in December 1953 to Claudius Purnell, a Baton Rouge native and a local elementary school principal. They had two sons, Eric Noel and Kevin Maverick Purnell. Many years of happiness were shared by this family until Claudius' death in 1971. A dedicated and well-respected classroom teacher, Marie was selected on four different career occasions as "The Most Outstanding Teacher of the Year in East Baton Rouge Parish." In her passion for teaching, she influenced many students to make sure that their children were also taught by her. Marie held membership in The Third Order of Mary and The Catholic Daughters of America. When she could, one of her favorite pursuits was the First Wednesday Pokeno Club, which consists of lifelong friends. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Numa Joseph and Lady Eleanor Picou LeBlanc; her husband, Claudius Purnell; a son, Kevin Maverick Purnell; and a nephew, Duane Joseph LeBlanc Butler. Surviving Marie are a son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Bernadette Domingue Purnell, three granddaughters and a grandson, Jessica, Emilee, Krystal and Kevin, a sister, Joyce Eleanor LeBlanc, and nephew, Benn Hamilton and wife Jacqueline Allen Hamilton, all of Baton Rouge; a niece, Dawn Noble Butler; three great-nieces, Heaven Jackson-Gurnell and Fawne and Faith Davis; four great-grandnephews; and a great-grandniece of Houston and Dallas; three sisters-in-law, Julia Brogden Purnell and Myrtle Legarde Purnell, both of Baton Rouge, and Antilana H. Smith, Houston; and many other relatives and friends. Viewing at St. Joseph's Cathedral, 412 North St., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 8 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., with the Most Rev. Monsignor Robert Berggreen, officiating. Recitation of the rosary at 9 a.m. Interment in Grace Memorial Cemetery, Plaquemine. Arrangements made by Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70815-2010, (225) 383-6831.