Shirley M. Purcell

North Augusta, SC….Shirley Morris Purcell was a dedicated educator and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She entered into rest on February 8, 2026 at the age of 90.

She was born to the late Nicholas E. Morris and Bessie Mae Hutto Morris on July 17, 1935 in Hilda, SC. She served as the salutatorian of the Blackville-Hilda High School class of 1952. After graduating from high school and starting a family, Shirley went back to school to earn her Bachelor of Arts at the University of South Carolina at Aiken, graduating magna cum laude in 1977. She went on to teach U.S. history and government for almost 20 years at North Augusta High School in North Augusta, SC. She received recognition for her outstanding efforts in teaching and leading high school students to a better understanding of city council proceedings and municipal government from the mayor and city council of the city of North Augusta in 1996.

Shirley spent much of her life in Richland County, having made Irmo, SC her home for the past 30+ years. She loved U.S. and South Carolina history, reading, flower arranging, trains, travelling, the outdoors, listening to Neil Diamond and Willie Nelson, crossword puzzles, taking photos, and a good glass of wine on the porch. Her favorite color was purple, and she almost never turned down a cup of coffee or a sweet treat (especially chocolate). Most weekends were filled volunteering as a docent at Historic Columbia, organizing classes and bus tours at the Shepherd ‘s Center of Columbia, spending time with her PASS girls, or doting upon her grandchildren.

Survivors include a son, Brian (Glenda) Purcell, North Augusta, SC; two daughters, Lynn (Daniel) Wright, Greenville, SC and Karen (Scott Ross) Ashmore, Denver, CO; ten grandchildren, Lindsey Wright, Casey Wright, Nicholas Ashmore, Tristan Ashmore, Jasmine Ross, Tamara Ross, Madolyn Barry, Ashley Timmerman, Tripp Nixon, Matt Nixon, and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Audrey Morris Cain, Columbia, SC, and her brother, Kerry (Elaine) Morris, Myrtle Beach, SC. She is predeceased by her brother, Johnny Morris, and brother-in-law Jack Cain.

A celebration of life will be held at J.M. Ford Funeral Directors, 637 W Martintown Rd, North Augusta, SC on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 3:00 pm. She will be entombed at the Pineview Gardens Mausoleum in North Augusta, SC. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shepherd’s Center of Columbia at https://shepherdscentercolumbia.org.

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