Blackstone Fuller Purnell, 76, died Sunday, November 18, 2018. A lifelong resident of Hampton, he graduated from Hampton High School. Drafted to the Army, he served in Vietnam Upon his return home he went to work for the civil service as a fireman at Fort Monroe retiring with the rank of Chief. He was a 50 year member of the Phoebus Volunteer Fire Company and served as the chief for over 28 years. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post 48. e was a member

Preceded in death by his wife, Annette Purnell, his parents, Helen Grace Fuller and Richard L. Purnell, Sr., and his brother, Richard L. Purnell, Jr,; survivors include his three sons, Billy Green, Bobby Green, and Kevin Purnell; and five grandchildren.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 24, 2018 in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel. Interment with Fire Department honors will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7-8 pm Friday at the funeral home.