Mary Collins

Mary Weldy Purcell Collins- Obituary

July 15, 1927- February 12, 2024

Mary Weldy Purcell Collins, 96, long time resident of Mobile peacefully departed this earthly life on Monday, February 12, 2024. Born in Birmingham, AL on July 15, 1927, she was the daughter of Ethel Beatrice Weldy and James Herman Weldy, Sr.

In addition to her parents, those who predeceased her are her husband of 35 years, Charles "Charlie" Inge Purcell and her second husband of 10 years, Ferlon "Jim" Curtis Collins, her sisters, Frances Johnson, Lucille Stone, and Barbara Jernigan, her brother, James "Buddy" Weldy, Jr., and her grandson, Kevin Purcell.

Mary's family moved to Toulminville when she was a young girl. The Weldy family enjoyed growing up in Toulminville so much that they attended "Toulminville reunions" for many years in their adult lives. Mary was a regular on the reunion planning committee helping to reunite family and friends to reminisce about their childhood.

Mary graduated from Murphy High School in 1946 and went on to pursue a brief career as a secretary at Mobile Cigar and Tobacco company. Mary met Charlie Purcell when she was a young 20 year old. They married on June 4, 1949. Charlie passed away on April 8, 1985. Mary was fortunate to find love again in her seventies when she met Ferlon "Jim" Curtis Collins from Hartford, AL. Mary and Jim were happily married for 10 years until his death on January 21, 2011.

Mary was a faithful member of Moffett Road Baptist Church, and a dedicated volunteer at her children's schools, cub scout and girl scout groups, and in her community. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and crafting. She was well known for making the best gumbo you ever had- all you had to do is ask her and she would tell you how good it was! She was an expert seamstress and a fixture at the Port City Craftsman craft shows with her hand painted ceramics. When Mary retired from ceramics, she could still be found at the Port City craft show ticket table greeting everyone who entered.

During their long and eventful marriage, Mary and Charlie Purcell relocated their family to Kingston, Jamaica from 1972-1976 when Charlie was transferred with ALCOA. While in Jamaica, Mary volunteered with local missionaries, the local marines and expanded her culinary skills to include pepperpot soup, johnny cakes, rice and peas, and curried goat!

Mary, affectionately known as "Granny" to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren, was a dedicated Christian who loved the Lord and shared her faith boldly. The date she accepted Christ was thoughtfully recorded in her Bible. Her family knows for certain she is happily reunited with those loved ones who went before her. Without a doubt, she is already stirring the roux for her next pot of gumbo!

Mary is survived by her son, Charles "Chuck" Inge Purcell, Jr. (Judy), her two daughters, Charlene Purcell Holtsford (Alex) and Carolyn Purcell, brothers Horace Vernon Weldy and Johnny Weldy, eight grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors and her beloved Pomeranian, LuLu. Mary loved her family and friends fiercely and was immensely proud of all of them.

Mary's family will celebrate her life with a funeral service on Friday, February 16 at 10:00 am at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 6040 Three Notch Road. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Following the service, Mary will be laid to rest beside her first husband Charlie Purcell in the Mobile Memorial Gardens cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Moffett Road Baptist Church, the animal shelter of your choice, or your favorite charity. The family would like to thank the staff at Alabama Hospice who provided exceptional care for Mary in the last few years of her life.

Family and friends are invited to Mary's home for refreshments and fellowship following the graveside service.