Lt. Col. Shirley Ann Purcell U.S. Army (Retired) passed away peacefully on April
21st 2024, at the age of 81, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born in Houston, 
Texas June 10th, 1942 the daughter of Lloyd Dee and Harriet Helen Hammett Teague. 
She had two brothers,James Teague (deceased) and Jerry Wayne Sharp. Shirley was 
educated at Lilly Jolly School of Nursing in Houston, Texas. Shirley went on to persue
a bachelors degree from Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado. In 1967 Shirley 
joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She served two tours in Vietnam in 1967 and 1969. 
Shirley then made a career out of the Army and retired in 1991. During her time in 
the army she raised a son and obtained a Masters degree in Health Care Administration.
Shirley enjoyed talking to people. Telling stories, lending and ear or offering advice.
Shirley is survived by her son John “Tim” Purcell and two grandson’s Nikolai Greyson 
Purcell and Liam Micah Purcell. The family will have a small service with family and 
close friends. There will be no public services. For those wishing to honor her memory,
the family suggests a donation to: 
The Vietnam Women’s Memorial Fund 
c/o Eastern National
470 Maryland Dr., Suite 1
Fort Washington, PA 19034
Toll Free (877) 463-3647