Lisa Denise Purnell

Lisa Denise Purnell, daughter of LaGrant Purnell and Sarah Johnson Purnell, departed this life on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. Lisa was born on July 12, 1963, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She received her education in the Atlantic City Public School System. Thereafter, she attended Shore Beauty School in Pleasantville, New Jersey to become a cosmetologist. Under the mothering and mentorship of Laketa Williams of Pleasantville, she worked at LaTi's Beauty Salon, which led her to eventually managing her own salon, Styles For You. In addition to her love for styling hair, she loved traveling, cooking for family and friends, fashion, and music. "Aunt Lisa," as she was affectionately known, accepted Christ at an early age, and was an active member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Atlantic City. She devoted much of her time as a Youth Advisor, in which her nurturing and mentoring led many youth closer to Christ. Lisa also loved singing; she was a former vocalist for Bubby Fann and Unlimited Praise, and she sang with the New Hope Baptist Church's PHD Ensemble. Lisa was a generous, independent, and loyal woman who loved her family, and absolutely adored her son, Harold Edwards, Jr. As a dedicated daughter, sister, mother, and friend, she was always willing to lend a helping hand, share a smile, and encourage others. She derived great pleasure in positively influencing the lives of young people, friends and acquaintances. She had a large circle of friends, and gave of herself tirelessly. Known for her culinary skills, she satisfied the tastes of many, from her famed baked beans and homemade potato salad, to her sweet potato "fluff." Cooking was one of the most personal and intimate things that she would do to inspire love and affection. She was predeceased by her father, LaGrant Purnell; her grandmother, Mary Johnson; and her brother, Anthony Purnell, Sr. Lisa leaves to carry on her legacy: her loving son, Harold Edwards, Jr. of Sewell, New Jersey; her mother, Sarah Purnell of Atlantic City, New Jersey; her sisters, Rachelle Purnell, Mary "Ba'y" Purnell, Shareefah Simpkins-Muhammad, and Sharnell Morgan, all of Atlantic City, New Jersey; her nieces and nephews, Anthony Purnell, Jr. of Silver Spring, Maryland, Tameisha Purnell, Johnny "Noon" Carter, Madinah Nelson, Ciara Gallagher, Amiyah Simpkins, Aneesa Leach, Shartel Morgan, Shanaida Morgan, Sha'Ron Morgan, and Sha'daija Morgan, all of Atlantic City, New Jersey; her great-niece, Janelle McKenzie; her godchildren, Katon Cherry of Sicklerville, New Jersey, Robert Dowe of Galloway, New Jersey, Tameisha Purnell, Rasheedah Keyes, and guardianship of Ciasia Keyes, Deloris Preston, and Deborah Preston, all of Atlantic City, New Jersey; her devoted friend, Harold Edwards, Sr. of Sewell, New Jersey; her special friends, Theresa Nowell of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Jean Ragland, Charles Barnes, both of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sheila Wooten of Piscataway, New Jersey, Geneva Williamson of Lakewood, New Jersey, and Twana Brandon of Galloway, New Jersey; and a host of other relatives and friends.