Mary Beatrice Purnell, 81, of El Maton passed away October 9, 2007. She was born November 26, 1925 in Beaumont, Texas to the late George Dewey Froust and Minnie Jewel Roper Froust. She was a retired accounts payable clerk and volunteered with the Women's Pregnancy Center in Bay City.

She is survived by her husband Albert S. Purnell of El Maton; daughters Debbie Thedford of Houston, Mary Kathey Turley of Roundup, Montana and Donna Sue Feaster of W. Richland, WA; step-children Sidney Purnell of Marshall, TX, Timmy Purnell of Houston, George Alan Murray of El Maton and Joseph Hoegerl of Fairbanks, Alaska; seventeen grandchildren and twenty six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother William Thomas Froust and step-children Charles Purnell, Brenda Purnell, Mike Purnell and Donny Purnell.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5PM to 7PM Friday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Morgan officiating. Interment will follow at Ashby Cemtery near El Maton. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.