Mary Obituary

Mary L. Vella, age 47, of Oak Ridge passed away Tuesday March 8, 2011, after a strong and courageous battle of 22 years with cancer, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.
Mary was born September 3, 1963 in Hialeah, Florida to George and Norma Baker Purdy. Mary was of the Catholic faith and has been in the Oak Ridge area for the past 27 years. A member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Fraternal Order of Eagles, enjoyed bowling belonging to L. H. Memorial and Sprit of 76 Leagues, fishing, boating, helping with her husband's business Vella's Jewelry, and spending time with the light of her life her granddaughter Marley.
Mary is preceded in death by her grandparents Carl and Grace Baker, aunts; Barbara Henry and Cookie Flannery, uncles; Ralph baker, Skipper McCormick, Eugene Purdy, Irvin Lamb, and Bud Sparkenbaugh, cousin Patricia Wynn, and second cousins Michelle Howard and Roger Ivley. Mary is survived her husband of 27 years Ron Vella of Oak Ridge, parents George and Norma Purdy of Maryville, son Brandon Robert Vella of Oak Ridge, daughter Jennifer Phillips and her husband Ben of Knoxville, granddaughter Marley Emmeline Phillips of Knoxville, brothers George Purdy and his wife Paula of Maryville, and Gary Purdy and his wife Tammy of Lenoir City, sister Lori Clickner of Homestead, Florida, and special friends Bill and Kristyl Roger of Oak Ridge, Bob and Judy Odell of Knoxville, and Dottie of Lenoir City.
A funeral service will be held Friday March 11, 2011 8:00pm in the chapel of Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Lawson officiating. Graveside service will be Saturday March 12, 2011 11:00am at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Friday March 11, 2011 before the funeral service from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the funeral home.