Darrin L. Purnell

Darrin L. Purnell, the son of Ora Lee Purnell and Isom Fennell Jr., was born November 13, 1967 in Indianapolis, IN. As a young child he attended Indianapolis Public Schools and during his middle school years he played basketball for school #28.  Later, Darrin attended Manual High School.

On June 15, 1991, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Tanya Hughes.   

Darrin accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in 2004. He attended and was baptized at Truth in Christ Church.

He was employed by S&W Industries as a machine operator for 15 years. He was a hard worker and because he worked so hard, they always kept a position open for him to return to.

Darrin was a father, uncle, brother, nephew, son, grandfather and friend. His family remembers him being a “jokester” and “the life of the party.” When he entered the room, he would bark loudly to let people know, “The Big Dog” has arrived. He was a member of the Naptown Riders Motorcycle Club and was known as “D-Nice.”  He loved to travel and travelled frequently with his motorcycle club. He enjoyed hanging with his friends and having a good time.

Darrin L. Purnell departed this earthly life and went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 20, 2023 at the age of 56. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ora Lee Purnell; father, Isom Fennell Jr.; sisters, Flossie Purnell and Barbara Ann Matlock; stepdaughter, Angela Hughes; and daughter, Deri’Yona Purnell.

He leaves to cherish his memory to his sons, Antan Purnell (Courtney) and Darrin Purnell Jr.; daughter, Anya Braggs; wife, Tanya Purnell;  brothers: Vernon Purnell (Julie), Floyd Acoff (Fay) and Lawrence Purnell; sisters, Debbril Ann Morris (JE) and Jeanette Sykes (Andre); grandchildren: Chandler Purnell, Antan Purnell II, Kyndall Purnell and Sydney Stephenson; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.