Arthur Purcell, Jr. U.S. Army Veteran and TVA Retiree

Art Purcell, 91, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. He was a Christian and a member of Ridgedale Baptist Church’s Genesis Sunday School Class. “Sonny” as his mom and dad called him, was born June 17, 1932, at Richard City, Tennessee, to Arthur and Nina Mae Frame Purcell. His siblings were Charles William, Mary Ellen, and Glenna Dean.

He joined the U.S. Army after high school at South Pittsburg. He was stationed in Japan near the end of the Korean War, where he served from 1953-1956. In 1958, TVA hired him and twenty-two other veterans for a student training program to begin at Douglas Dam. After much training and many TVA sites, he landed a position as Load Coordinator at the Chattanooga TVA complex on Broad Street. He retired from TVA in 1993 and enjoyed travels throughout h id di the United States and in Europe.

Art was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and his grandson Jarrod Michael Purcell.

Art was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and his grandson Jarrod Arthur Purcell.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bettie Mae Hodge Purcell, and his children Michael Arthur Purcell (Brenda Beam), Teresa Lynn Purcell Wade, and Steven Ray Purcell (Marcy Wilson). He is also survived by his grandchildren Ashley Hall Purcell, Ross Patrick Purcell (Shelby O’Quinn), Dillon Bandy Wade, Rachel Emerline Wade, Emily Anne Purcell, and Madelyn Kate Purcell, as well as his great grandchildren Addisyn Jewel Purcell and Austin Maddox Purcell, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visiting hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19th at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel in Hixson with the following service led by Rev Douglas Plumlee and Rev Mark Caldwell of Ridgedale Baptist Church. Burial with military honors will be at National Cemetery Tuesday at 1:30.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Chattanooga Hospice and the fani dd tastic nurses and doctors at Memorial Hospital for their outstanding work and loving care. God bless you.

For those who wish, memorial contributions in Art’s honor may be made to the Senior Ministries at Ridgedale Baptist Church in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com

Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist 423-698-2541