Elvis Swan Purcell

Funeral Service for Mr. Elvis Purcell will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, November 18, at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Raeford, NC. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Church Cemetery. Viewing and visitation will be held Sunday, November 18, one prior to the Funeral Service. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home, Laurinburg.

Mr. Elvis Swan Purcell, son of Mrs. Sallie Mae McKenzie and the late Mr. Leroy McKenzie was born January 8, 1961, in Hoke County, North Carolina.

Elvis graduated in May 1980, from Hoke County High School in Raeford, North Carolina. At an early age, he joined Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He was once a member of the Youth and Junior Choir.

He had a love for all sports, but football is where he let his athletic ability shined. Fastest running back player on the field is what he would say. In 1979 he received the Hoke County High Coaches Award in football. You couldn’t tell E.P. “nothing” when he received that Award.

On August 12, 1980, he entered active duty. He had his Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Due to his injury, he received an Honorable Discharge as Private Frist Class Regular Army in April 1982. He was a hard worker, strong-minded, intelligent man who didn’t allow his injury to keep him down. He became a supervisor at Burlington Industries in Raeford, NC where he worked for over twenty years.

If you ever had a chance to meet Elvis, then you can recall all the stories he would share to us all. To many, he was known as Swan and to others as E.P. but to his baby girl it’s “My Daddy” and from his sons, it’s “Pops”.

Elvis loved to dress for he kept his clothes pressed and his Stacy Adam shoes clean. Elvis was a smart man who carried a warm smile. He never gave up on whatever he believed, no matter what the outcome would be as he would say “What about It”.

Elvis Swan was preceded in death by his father, Leroy McKenzie; two brothers Thomas “Tommie” A. Purcell, Wardele McKenzie and one sister Gwendolyn “Gwen” McKenzie.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories his loving wife, Catherine C. Purcell; two sons Ken’yon O. Purcell of Marston, NC and Jarrett D. Black of Raeford, NC; one daughter Tanisha S. Purcell of Marston, NC; his mother Sallie M. McKenzie of Raeford, NC; one grandson Ken’yon O. Purcell Jr.; two granddaughters Jayda N. Black, and Roselyn J. Black;  one brother Leroy Jr. Graham of Parkton; four sisters Earlie M. McNair of  Raeford, Tamitha (Stephanie) K. McKenzie of Carthage, Marsiell B. Mckenzie of  Raeford, and Charlene F. (Redrick) Graham of Raleigh; three aunts Mrs. Gladys M. Graham, and Mrs. Helen McNeill both of Raeford, and Mrs. Julie M. (Talf) Farmer of Wagram; three uncles Mr. Colon (Beulah) Purcell of Raeford, Roosevelt McKenzie of Red Springs, and Leon (Anez) Stephens of Raeford; his mother-in-law Tamer B. Cole (late Danny Harrington Jr.) of Marston; seven brothers-in-law James (Anga) Roper, and Danny Blackmon both of Wagram, Robert (Vickie) Roper, and James Cole Sr. both of  Raleigh, Archie Roper, and Billy Cole both of Marston,  and Jerry (Joyce) Steele of  Bronx, NY; five sisters-in-law, Late Patricia McNair, Elizabeth McLean of Marston, Annie (George) Blackmon-Lewis of Raeford, Hattie Weathers of Fayetteville, and Della Blackmon of Laurinburg; He shared a strong bond and a special love for Malik Jackson, and a host of  nieces, nephews, relative and friends whom he loved deeply.

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