With hearts full of love and remembrance, we celebrate the life of Contanna Evette Beene Purnell, a beautiful soul whose light touched countless lives.

Contanna was born on Saturday, July 1, 1972, at 1:06 a.m. at Baldwyn Hospital to Billy and Martha Beene. From the very beginning, her life was marked by grace, determination, and an unmistakable presence. She passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at North Mississippi Medical Center CCU, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, service, and love. We would like to thank the entire staff of North Mississippi Medical Center for the exceptional care they provided Contanna in her time of need.

As a child, Contanna was vibrant, outgoing, and full of promise. She accepted Christ at an early age and united with New Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church under leadership of Rev. James Eckford. Her early years were rooted in faith and community at New Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. She was baptized in an outdoor pool, attended Sunday school and bible class, she sang in the choir, served on the usher board, and participated in all church programs.

In the fall of 1978, she began her education at Wheeler Attendance Center with Ms. Connie Lyles as her first teacher. Even then, her natural leadership and competitive spirit shone brightly. She excelled in school activities, joined the cheerleading squad, served on the Student Council, joined Junior Civitians, and served as President of her school's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America for two years. This led to her first job at Comcast with Mr. Lee Miller as her first boss. She was part of the parliamentary team that competed all the way to Washington, D.C. She was part of the homecoming court each year in high school and in a historic moment, she broke barriers by becoming the first
Black Homecoming Queen at Wheeler High School—a reflection of both her courage and her character.

After graduating high school, Contanna continued to pursue excellence. She attended Northeast Mississippi Community College, where she became a member of the NEMS Tiger Band. Her journey of service then led her to join the United States Army National Guard. During which time she attended the University of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia and worked at UPS.

Upon returning home, Contanna worked at many different businesses including Agnew's Funeral Home, Turner's Big Star, SDI and served as a retail store manager before joining the City of Tupelo.

Beyond her professional life, Contanna remained deeply connected to her passion for pageantry and mentorship. She taught pageant preparation classes, coached aspiring contestants, and earned certification as a judge for the Miss America Organization. She assisted with the Tupelo Main Street Association's Elvis Festival Pageant and served on the Sister Network Planning and Development Committee for the "Little Miss Diva Pageant." She was actively involved with the Miss Tupelo and Miss All-American City Pageants and proudly served as Director of the Pretty Girls
Rock Princess Pageant.

One of Contanna's favorite quotes beautifully reflected her spirit: "It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart." She lived these words daily, offering kindness, encouragement, and authenticity to everyone she encountered. A devoted volunteer and tireless advocate for her community, Contanna believed deeply in lifting others and leaving every place better than she found it.

She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 22 years, Torris Purnell; her loving mother, Martha Swinney; five aunts: Stella Billups (Joe), Irene Crump (Joe), Linda Agnew, Mildred Billups, Sonya Tate; one uncle Jimmy Grice (Brenda); father-in-law Johnnie Purnell; her beloved furbaby, Tanner; three special cousins: Alayna Partlow, Kylan Tate and Jada Price; and a large extended family of relatives, friends, colleagues, and community members who were blessed by her presence.

She was preceded in death by her father Bobby Swinney, her mother-in-law Flora Purnell, her grandmothers Zora Tate, Annie Ruth Beene, Ruby Swinney. and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Though her physical presence is no longer with us, Contanna Evette Beene Purnell's legacy of leadership, compassion, and grace will live on forever in the hearts of those who loved her. Let the life she lived speak for itself.