Isabell Puryear

Early Thursday morning at 7:34 a.m., an Angel was dispatched to Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore. The Angel whispered in Isabell's ear, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant, your work on earth is complete. Jesus is waiting for you." So she quietly slipped into eternal rest. ISABELL CARTER-PURYEAR was born on December 26, 1919, one of sixteen children of the late Everett and Ada Carter in Rice, Virginia. She was educated in the Prince County Virginia school system. She was married to the late Deacon Walter Puryear and she gave birth to eight children. After fifty-four years of marriage, her husband Walter preceded her in death in January 1989. In search of a better life, they moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Isabell worked for thirty years at Superior and Whitehouse Factory until she retired. At an early age, Isabell accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She began her walk at Monroe Baptist Church in Virginia where she was baptized. She was a member of Nazarene Baptist Church of Baltimore, and for over thirty years she was a faithful member of St. John Christian Community Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Tommie Jenkins Sr. She loved her church and pastor. Mother Puryear served as president and loyal member of many auxiliaries, such as: The Mothers' Club, Senior Choir #1, The Deaconess Board and the Missionary Board to name a few. She is also one of the original members of St. John C.C. Church. Mother Puryear was never without a smile, always giving an encouraging word to the young and old. When you needed a genuine hug, a safety pin or a piece of candy, you could always ask Mother Puryear. She was a very caring and giving person; she was everyone's Mom. She was a dedicated soldier for the Lord and she kept her light shining. She was admired by all who knew her. She also was a loving and steadfast Mother and Grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren. She loved them dearly and they loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory: four sons, Bishop Moses Carter of New York, Joseph Puryear, Freddie Puryear of Baltimore and Walter Puryear of Pittsburgh; four daughters, Rev. Grace Morris, Alease Gipson, Maggie Lowery of Baltimore and Martha Gakou of New York; one sister, Charlotte Trent of Cumberland, Virginia; two daughters-in-law, Barbara Carter of New York and Mildred Puryear of Baltimore; two sons-in-law, Deacon Willie Morris of Baltimore and Moustapha Gakou of New York; one sister-in-law, Martha Watson of Virginia; thirty-nine grandchildren, sixty-two great-grandchildren, thirty-six great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many beloved friends.

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Isabell Puryear

December 26, 1919 - April 21, 2005