Mrs. Luella May Purkhiser, age 95, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026.

She was born on February 27, 1931 to Chester Graves McKinley and Dessie Gibbons McKinley. Luella married James Willard Purkhiser on May 25, 1951. They had one son, James Eli Purkhiser. She was a member of the High Street Church of Christ, Community Club 31, The Piece Makers Quilt Guild, of which she was a Charter Member. She was a past member of The Farmer's Club and a past member of the Women's Evening Study Club. Luella worked for 10 years at Reiz Furniture Store and then worked for 29 years as an administrative assistant at the Salem Middle School before retiring in 1996. Luella had many hobbies, her favorite was being an avid quilt maker. She made many quilts over the years and was one year elected by her peers in the Piece Makers Quilt Guild to be the "Featured quilter" at the annual Quilt Show held each year in Salem. Another one of her hobbies was china painting. She loved gardening, and canning many kinds of vegetables each summer and sharing them with family and friends. Luella loved sharing her home by entertaining the Farmer's Club in her home once a year, having all of her family each year for Thanksgiving and Christmas or for any occasion that came along. Her door was always open. Overall she was a very creative and talented person and loved sharing her talents with everyone. She was always there to help a family member, neighbor or friend.

Luella is preceded in death by her husband, James Willard Purkhiser, who passed away November 26, 1993 and one son, James Eli Purkhiser, who passed away on April 12, 2016.

Luella is survived by her daughter in law, Tracy Purkhiser, 2 grandchildren, Mariah Blankenbaker (Clinton) and Nick Purkhiser (Teddi). 5 great grandchildren, Kason Blankenbaker, Keeley Blankenbaker, James Purkhiser, Sawyer Purkhiser, Lucy Purkhiser and one sister, Joan Barrett Brewer (Charles) and several nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her church family, family, friends and neighbors.

Services for Mrs. Purkhiser will be held on Friday, June 12 at 2:00P.M at Weathers Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 10:00A.M until the time of service, at the funeral home, with burial following the service at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Washington County 4H.