Anna Purdie Urquhart

Anna Purdie “AP” Urquhart slipped away peacefully at her home in Windsor, Virginia on Thursday, October 18, 2024. Mrs. Urquhart was born on January 10, 1927 to the late Mattie Evans Purdie and William “Money” Purdie of Zuni, Virginia. Anna moved to Baltimore as a young child and was educated in Baltimore City Public Schools before returning to Zuni after the eighth grade. She graduated from Isle of Wight Training School in Smithfield, Virginia, then enrolled in Norfolk State College, (now Norfolk State University). After completing her two years at “Little State,” she transferred to Virginia State College, (currently Virginia State University), where she joined the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and earned her BS degree in Business Education in 1951.

Anna was offered her first job as secretary to the Dean at Kentucky State College in Frankfort. After a year, she returned to Virginia and married her long-time friend, Frank M. Urquhart, Sr. Soon thereafter, she accepted a position as secretary to Guidance Counselor Vivian H. Taylor back at her alma mater, Norfolk State College. She held this position for eight years until she moved to Baltimore with her children, where she raised them as a single parent. 

In Baltimore Anna worked for the Department of Welfare, the Continuing Education Department at Morgan State College, the Tuskegee Institute Nursing School (Baltimore Unit), the Upward Mobility/GED Program, and Baltimore City Public Schools as a Business and English Composition teacher at Carver Vocational High School.

After retiring in 1980, Anna returned to her family’s homestead in Southampton County, Virginia where she served as a dedicated church and community volunteer. She established the Windsor Chapter of AARP #5309 along with co-founders Letcher Eley and Gra

Anna Purdie “AP” Urquhart slipped away peacefully at her home in Windsor, Virginia on Thursday, October 18, 2024. Mrs. Urquhart was born on January 10, 1927 to the late Mattie Evans Purdie and William “Money” Purdie of Zuni, Virginia.

Anna moved to Baltimore as a young child and was educated in Baltimore City Public Schools before returning to Zuni after the eighth grade. She graduated from Isle of Wight Training School in Smithfield, Virginia, then enrolled in Norfolk State College, (now Norfolk State University). After completing her two years at “Little State,” she transferred to Virginia State College, (currently Virginia State University), where she joined the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and earned her BS degree in Business Education in 1951.

Anna was offered her first job as secretary to the Dean at Kentucky State College in Frankfort. Following that, she accepted a position as secretary to the Guidance Counselor Vivian H. Taylor back at her alma mater, Norfolk State College. In 1952 Anna married her long-time friend, Frank M. Urquhart, Sr., (who preceded her in death in 1975). From this union, they had three children – Desiree, Frank Jr., and Eileen-- then later moved to Baltimore to raise her children as a single parent. In Baltimore Anna worked for the Department of Welfare, the Continuing Education Department at Morgan State College, the Tuskegee Institute Nursing School (Baltimore Unit), the Upward Mobility/GED Program, and Baltimore City Public Schools as a Business and English Composition teacher at Carver Vocational High School.

After retiring in 1980, Anna returned to her family’s homestead in Southampton County, Virginia where she served as a dedicated church and community volunteer. She established the Windsor Chapter of AARP #5309 along with co-founders Letcher Eley and Grady and Janet Parker. 

Anna was known as a nurturer and consummate giver with a deep spirit of generosity. She was a life-long family member of Chapel Grove United Church of Christ in Windsor who gave her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at an early age. While in Baltimore, she worshipped at Milton Avenue United Methodist Church under Minister James Wooten. Her forever mantra was, “Lord, let me live my life so others will see you through me.” Anna leaves to celebrate her incredible life her children – Desiree P. Urquhart (Windsor, VA), Frank M. Urquhart, Jr. (Zuni, VA) and Eileen W. Urquhart (Essex, MD); one sister, Vernita M. Elam (Zuni, VA); 8 grandchildren – Shantina Harris (Baltimore, MD), Kia J. Harper (Jessika) (Houston, TX), Sheila J. Urquhart-Moura (Aurora, CO), Cherice N. Harper Jefferies (James) (Severna Park, MD), Christopher M. Urquhart-Transou, Sr. (Nikki) (Baltimore, MD), Sheri A. Urquhart (Windsor, VA), Ebone W. Urquhart (Johnnie) (Baltimore, MD), and Ja’Lisha N. Urquhart (Newport News, VA); 23 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

The Family recognizes a host of Anna’s loving nieces, nephews, cousins, loved ones, friends and other family, including: the late “adopted” sister-cousin Shirley W. Winnegan (Zuni, VA); adopted daughters: Dorothy Montague, (New York, NY), the late Mattie Urquhart (Franklin, VA), Sharon W. Thomas (Zuni, VA), Hope S. Maddox (Baltimore, MD), Margaret Saunders (Ivor, VA), and Renee Christy (Manassas, VA); best friends: Virginia Booker (Smithfield, VA), the late Sarah Workman (Grey Court, SC) and Joan Williams (Baltimore, MD); her birthday twin James A. Brown (Baltimore, MD); dedicated care-givers Regena Joyner (Newport News, VA), Daphne Reese (Zuni, VA), Jennie Roberts (Ivor, VA), Renyta Whitfield (Suffolk, VA) and Rochelle White (Portsmouth, VA); Courtland Rehab Center “Thelma & Louise” roommate Ms. Ella Stephens; and, spiritual confidants: Rev. Joseph J. Ferguson (Suffolk, VA), Rev. Larry Simmons, Sr. (Zuni, VA), and Rev. David A. Cunningham (Fredericksburg, VA).

 A viewing will be held 4-7 p.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the funeral home. A celebration of life will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2024 at Chapel Grove United Church of Christ. She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.