Ella Louise Leatherbury

Ella Louise Leatherbury, 86, of Princess Anne, Maryland gained her heavenly wings on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at her family resident in Salisbury, Maryland. Ella was born in Kingston, Maryland on April 25,1939 to Addie Robinson (who died shortly after giving birth) and Dolphus Handy. She was raised in Somerset County Maryland, by her father and maternal grandmother, Ella Robinson McNeil and partially in Accomack County Virginia still with her father and half-brother, Henry Handy.

Ella attended Venton Elementary School in Oriole Maryland, Marion Station School, and Collins Street School in Crisfield covering the 1st through the 5th grades. Her father moved them to Virginia with her sister Pearl, and she attended the Jerusalem School for the 6th and part of 7th grade. Later they moved back to the Princess Anne area, and she attended Greenwood Elementary School for the latter part of the 7th grade and graduated from the 9th grade. She had begun the 10th grade at Somerset High School, when her father died, she was moved back with her maternal grandmother in Kingston, Maryland. She started the 11th grade at Woodson High School in Crisfield but quit after two months to marry Arthur “Moot” Purnell. Ella and Moot had two beautiful children, Terry Lee Purnell, and Kimball Lou Purnell.

Ella worked in the Seafood industry in Crisfield for many years, she received her GED in 1972, was divorced in 1980 and married Leroy Leatherbury in 1996. She worked as a nutrition aide for the Head Start Program under Somerset County (which changed to Shore Up!!) for 30 years before retiring in 2004.

Ella was an artist, a poet, a seamstress, she made dolls, crocheted Afghans, hats and scarves and she loved to make flower arrangements that the ladies enjoyed on Mother’s Day. She loved to pick crabs but enjoyed eating them more!

Ella was a dedicated member of St. Michael C.O.G.I.C in Princess Anne, Maryland for over 35 years. She served as an usher, on the Ways & Means Auxiliary, a member of the Kitchen crew, made seasonal flower arrangements for the church windows and took delight in helping to keep the sanctuary neat and clean. She loved children and encouraged them and their parents to cultivate their Godly gifts stating they may be famous one day. She attended as many church functions as she could until her health started failing.

She was a source of inspiration to the residents and nursing staff in the hospital and rehab centers. She is gone but never forgotten.

Ella leaves to cherish her memory: devoted daughter, Kimball Purnell of Salisbury, Maryland; loving granddaughter, Tashanna Brown of Crisfield; three stepchildren, Sheila, Leroy, Jr. and Stephanie; and a host of nieces, nephews, church family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Terry Purnell; sisters, Helen Robinson and Pearl; brother, Henry Handy; first husband, Arthur Purnell; second husband, Leroy Leatherbury; niece, Barbara Douglas and favorite cousin, Peggy Jones.

A Memorial will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Saint Michael’s Church of God in Christ, 11340 Greenwood School Road, Princess Anne.