Carmen Purtell Nesbit was born July 3, 1923 in Lockesburg, Arkansas, to O.N. “Bill”ť Purtell and Annie Belle Shinn Purtell. She lost her mother at a very early age, and her dad married Inez Alexander Purtell. Inez, "Little Mama" raised Carmen and her brother, Wayne. Carmen graduated from Antlers High School, Antlers, OK. She was a dedicated member of The Church of Christ; the Church, as well as her Christianity, were of utmost importance to her. Carmen married Leroy "Perk" Nesbit on April 6, 1943 in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Following WWII Carmen and Perk moved back to Hugo, his home town, and they lived out their lives here. Perk preceded Carmen in death on March 24, 2008. She worked almost thirty years at the Choctaw County Courthouse; she was in the Assessor's Office and had a keen understanding of the land in Choctaw County. Carmen also did some abstracting, and after retiring from the courthouse, worked as the church secretary for many years. Carmen was a member of the early day Iris Garden Club and Mother’s Inter Se. Carmen was a Christian, a homemaker, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was creative with her sewing, cooking, flowers and gardening. She appreciated her family and friends, and she loved Hugo and its history. Family and genealogy were very important to her. Carmen had strong convictions, but she was never pushy; she would always listen to others, and she genuinely cared about people. She was sincere, never "gushy", just as solid as a rock. She could say a lot in just a few words. She was our tower of strength!
Carmen is survived by one brother, Wayne Purtell, of Curtis, Washington, and one brother-in-law Jim Nesbit of Surprise, AZ, one son, Jim Nesbit and his wife Deanna of Hugo, OK, one daughter, Linda Nesbit Copeland and her husband Wiley of Hugo, OK, four grandchildren, Bryan Copeland and wife Arlinda of Antlers, OK, Clark Copeland and wife Samantha of Hugo, OK, Michael Nesbit and wife Jennifer of Hugo, OK, and one special granddaughter, Michelle Nesbit. "Mammy" is survived by nine great-grandchildren: Taylor Copeland, Conner Copeland, Lexi Copeland, our twins, Ben and Bryn Copeland, Lukas Nesbit, Jehma Nesbit, Carson Nesbit and Carmen Adelynn "Addie" Mother's namesake.
Carmen is survived by two nieces in Seattle/Tacoma, Washington, Denise Purtell Woodham and Theresa Purtell, nephews, Dr. Robert Nisbet and wife Jill of Edmond, OK, Frank Graves of Oklahoma City, OK, Wayne Kevin Nesbit of North Carolina, Roger Nesbit of Austin,TX and niece, Marilyn Kean and husband Jerry Kean of Waco, TX. She has two cousins Ginger Dowdle and Sally McInvale in Lockesburg, AR and Texarkana, TX respectively. Carmen is survived by many dear friends whom she greatly treasured.
Funeral services for Carmen Evelyn Nesbit will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. in the 4th Street & Jackson Church of Christ in Hugo, OK with Pastor Steve Harbison officiating and burial following in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. She passed from this life December 8, 2013, in Hugo, Oklahoma, at the age of 90.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 10, 2013 from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. in the Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home Chapel in Hugo, OK.
Family and friends may send online condolences at www.praterlampton.com.
