Martha Louise Purner

Martha Louise Cooper Purner passed from this life into eternity at 3:15 pm Saturday, June 27,2015, surrounded by her family and friends. Louise loved all things beautiful. She is survived by: her devoted husband of seventy-two years, Dave; her sons, Frank Purner, and wife Judy, and Dr. David Purner and wife Laura; grandchildren, Margaret Douthat and husband David, Shannon Fortune and husband Brian, Melissa Dixon and husband Tom, Chris Purner and wife Reeca, Kristen Pepper, Walt Purner, Will Purner, and Adam Williams and wife Glenda; and several nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Louise was a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, serving on the Alter Guild, Munsey Service Group, and attending the Fellowship Sunday School Class. For many years Louise volunteered at the VA in the oncology clinic reading to and spending time with the veterans. She was a charter member of the East Tennessee Chapter of American Ex-P.O.W.s, Post 24 American Legion Auxiliary, John Sevier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of the Daughters of Colonial Wars, Friends of Carroll Reece Museum, Tipton Haynes Historical Association, and Johnson City Symphony. One rarely spoke of Louise without including her beloved husband, Dave. Louise and Dave have had several interviews by local media concerning Daves P. O. W. experience and Louises devotion to him during that time. Their life together has been called 'An American Love Story.' Louise was preceded in death by: her twin sister, Caroline Cooper Tipton; sister Emma Mae Cooper Kyte; brother, Hal S. Cooper, Jr.; and her parents, Hal Slater Cooper and Hester Maude Shell Cooper Cowden. The family of Louise Purner will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral will follow in the funeral home chapel at 7:00 pm with Rev. Mark Gooden officiating. Mrs. Purner?s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Committal services will be conducted 10:45 am Wednesday in the U.S. National Cemetery, Mountain Home. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10:15 am to go in procession to the cemetery for those services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 E. Market Street, Johnson City, TN 37601.