Mrs. Mozelle LaVera Massey Purcell
Mrs. Mozelle LaVera Massey Purcell, age 99, of Toccoa, passed away Thursday, October 30, 2025 at her home.
Mozelle was born on May 4th, 1926 in Franklin County, GA. She was the daughter of the late Hubert Paul Massey and Ovis Wilmer Murphy Massey. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Pearl Massey Skelton, husband, Lewis, and her late brother, Earnest Ray Massey.
Mozelle lived in Franklin County until her junior year in high school, at which time she and her family moved to Stephens County. She graduated from Toccoa High School in 1944. She married her high school sweetheart, Lauren D. Purcell, in 1944 after which she attended Marsh Business College in Atlanta while he served in World War II. After attending business school, she worked for LeTourneau Westinghouse Company. After Lauren’s return from service, together they owned and operated Auto Parts and Equipment Company for 48 years. They also owned and operated Auto Parts and Equipment Company in Hartwell, Georgia for 28 years. They were married for 50 years.
Mozelle was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. She served as a teacher in a Girl’s Sunday School Class, Baptist Training Union Class, and Girls in Action, and was the director of the Women’s Missionary Union for a period of time. Mozelle was also a member of the Naomi Sunday School Class.
Family members include her sons, David Michael Purcell (Cathy) and Tommy Lee Purcell (Rebecca); grandchildren, Melanie Purcell Lee (Chuck), Brittany Purcell, Zane Purcell and Anna Purcell Smith (Darren); and great-grandchildren, Kennedy Lee and Peyton Lee.
The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 12:00 pm until 1:30pm Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Dr. Fred Lodge officiating.
Burial will follow at Stephens Memorial Gardens.
The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Tony Carter, Gary Matthews, Don Baldwin, Larry Carter, Sam Caudell and Glenn Jordan.
The family would like to extend special, heartfelt love and deep appreciation to the most extraordinary caregivers who loved Mozelle very much. They are: Kristi Hicks, Candace Yearwood, Audrey York, Kaitlyn Wegner (Goldi), Rylee McIntyre and Micaela Nadeau.
Flowers are optional. Memorial donations may be made to Ebenezer Baptist Church, 49 Rose Lane, Toccoa, GA 30577.
Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net.
Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Mozelle LaVera Massey Purcell.