Nell Purcell Lynn Veale, 92, of Savannah, died May 7, 2024, at Azalealand Nursing Home.
She was born April 10, 1932, in Appling County, GA, and lived in Savannah most of her life. She was the daughter of Ida Mae Tootle and Marvin Nichols Purcell.
She was formerly a member of Pineora Baptist Church (Guyton) and Immanuel Baptist Church (Savannah). For the last 50 years, she was a member of White Bluff United Methodist church (Savannah).
Nell was active in the Ladies Auxiliary for Alee Temple Shriners Patrol for more than 15 years alongside her husband James Carl Veale, Jr.
In her retirement, Nell continued a life of community engagement and service. From 1985 to 1996, Nell served on the Board of the Chatham County Division of Family & Children Services, which provides services to families in need, including finding foster and adoptive homes for abused and neglected children. From 1986, she served as a founding board member of the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire with the mission of helping individuals or groups resolve conflicts using a neutral mediator. Nell also served, from 1987, as a national trainer for the AARP, leading diversity and inclusion education classes around the nation. She also taught English as a Second Language classes to immigrant individuals residing in Savannah, Georgia.
Nell was a graduate of Ridgeland High School, SC, Class of 1948. She earned a Bachelor in Elementary Education (BA) at Berry College, Class of 1953; a Master of Education in Elementary Education (MA) at Georgia Southern University, Class of 1963; an Education Specialist (Sixth Year School Principal Training) at University of Georgia, Class of 1973; and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Administration at Nova University, Class of 1983.
She served as an elementary teacher in Trenton, GA (Morganville-North Dade, 1950-51, grade six), Savannah, GA (Pennsylvania Ave School,1952-53, grade one), Avery, TX (1953-54, grade eight), and Minden, LA (E.S. Richardson, 1954-56, grade two), prior to settling in Savannah, GA in 1957.
For the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, Nell taught first grade at Isle of Hope Elementary School (1957-59) and sixth grade at Jacob G. Smith Elementary School (1962-70). Nell later served as principal at both Tybee Elementary School and Anderson Street Elementary School.
From 1973 to 1987, she served as director of the Coastal Georgia Learning Resource System for five coastal Georgia counties, providing training and resources to help public school teachers enhance their skills in teaching both students with disabilities and exceptional students.
Nell was a longtime, active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators.
In her later years, Nell competed in both Ms. Senior Savannah, 2nd runner up, and Ms. Senior Georgia, 1st runner up, pageants.
From her retirement in 1987 until 2017, Nell acquired seven rental houses around Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus and provided housing to international students. In this role, she provided counseling, mentorship, and a sense of family community to students a long way from their native cultures and families. She considered this her mission in the last portion of her life.
She was predeceased by her father, Marvin Nichols Purcell, her mother, Ida Mae Tootle, five sisters, Bessie Mae Watson, Janie Rae Aldridge, Ida Myrtle Bowen, Ola Evelyn Sammons, and Mary Jeanine Glisson and four brothers, William “Bill” Lamar Purcell, Glenn Nichols Purcell, James “Jim” Everette Purcell, and Billy Gene “Bill” Purcell. She was also predeceased by her husband of 16 years, Rev. David Robert Lynn, her second husband of 41 plus years, James Carl Veale, Jr., and her daughter, Brenda Carol Lynn.
She is survived by two sons, James David Lynn, (Ginny), of Riverside, CT, and Judson Robert Lynn, (Norbert), of Renton, WA; two stepdaughters, including Diane Veale Jervis of Savannah, GA; six grandchildren, including Richie Jervis, (Kelly), Amy Donahue, (Stephen), Alexandra Lynn, and Olivia Lynn, four great grandchildren, Caroline Jervis, Meredith Jervis, Owen Donahue, and Ellie Donahue, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be held at White Bluff Methodist Church on June 15, 2024 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Nell.
Offer Condolence for the family of Nell Purcell Lynn Veale
Print This Obituary & Condolences
Patricia Ann Bass, age 79, passed away Friday, May 31, 2024 at Pruitt Health of Savannah.
