Rashii Roslyn Purefoy

Mrs. Rashii Roslyn (McCauley) Purefoy, age 81, of Chapel Hill, NC, transitioned to eternal rest on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC.
Rashii Roslyn Purefoy was born in Durham County, NC, the daughter of the late William and Effie McCauley on January 10, 1944. She was one of six children; five of whom preceded her in death.
Following a lengthy illness, she entered into eternal rest on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at UNC Hospital surrounded by her children.
Rashii spent her formative years in Orange County where she was educated at the notable Lincoln High School in Chapel Hill as a member of the class of 1962. It was there that she discovered her love for children, dance and activism – all social actions that she would define her life's story. She would then go on to wed Alton William Purefoy, who also preceded her in death. Rashii would care for children of the Chapel Hill community in her home until she began a career in daycare at Binkley Baptist Church, prior to accepting a later position as teacher at Chapel Hill Co-operative Preschool. She would remain in this position until retirement.
As a young adult, she was a long-time member of First Baptist Church - lending her talents to the choir and the Willing Workers Club. She would later return to her family's home church: New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where she maintained membership until her untimely passing.
Rashii also continued to uphold her belief in activism as a member of Chapel Hill's Women of the Movement, meeting weekly at the Chapel Hill Public Library alongside other women who sought social change and equality for residents of Chapel Hill.
As a member of New Hope, she began Power of Praise Dance team, introducing the children of New Hope to the genre of liturgical dance.
Rashii was a master dance teacher whose artistry helped define the cultural heartbeat of Chapel Hill. A proud member of the well-known Purefoy family, whose artistic talents spanned from musicians and band leaders to dancers, theater artists, and church stalwarts, she carried forward a legacy of rhythm, faith, and creativity. When local activist Lilly Atwater asked her to temporarily take over a children's dance group at Hargraves Community Center, Rashii accepted-what began as a short commitment grew into nearly fifty years of teaching, traveling, and mentoring generations of young dancers. She was mentored by legendary dancers Ms. Nancy D. Pinckney and Baba Chuck Davis. Through her Ebone Dancers, which later became the Ebone Soul Strutters, she created opportunities for Black children to study and perform dance when Black girls were not welcomed in white dance studios, establishing the foundation of the Black dance movement in Chapel Hill. Rashii's classes nurtured far more than performance skill; they cultivated pride, confidence, and body positivity for Black girls long before it became a cultural trend. Her program, rooted in the movement known as "Soul," celebrated the intertwined legacies of art, community organizing, and unapologetic Blackness that have defined Black life in the South. Rashii's enduring influence lives on through the countless students she inspired to move with strength, assurance, and joy. She had a favorite song titled "Can't No Grave Hold My Body Down". We bear witness. She was the embodiment of Soul.
To cherish her memory Rashii leaves her children, Anthony Hackney, Jeff Purefoy (Melissa), Vanessa Purefoy, William Purefoy, Minda P. Harris (Daryl), Edric Purefoy, Rajah Purefoy-Farrington (Sheveta), Ashley Henley (Lamar); granddaughters Lucretia, Cortnie, Devecia and Shameecia, Jasmine, Yaminah, Victoria, Daria, Damia, Alexis, and Amira; grandsons Kinston and Kenji; great grandsons Asher and Braylen along with a closely-knit ensemble of great grands, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A life well-lived, Rashii touched the lives of countless friends throughout the region. Her presence will continue to be felt through the legacy she leaves behind.
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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home-Chapel Hill, NC