Mother Evonia L. Purkett
Jurisdictional Supervisor
Mother Evonia Purkett was born in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Superintendent Robert C. McNeal and Mother Elvin McNeal. She is the sixth of nine children.
Mother Purkett was educated in the Memphis Public School System while being spiritually nurtured at Carnegie Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father. It was there that she accepted the Lord and was saved at the age of 14. She served as YPWW President and in other local and state auxiliaries in the Western Tennessee Jurisdiction. She was also the church radio announcer for the late Bishop A. B. McEwen at the Lane Avenue Church of God in Christ.
Mother Purkett was united in holy matrimony for 53 years to the late Administrative Assistant Herbert J. Purkett, Sr. She is the mother of 5 children and 1 adopted daughter, has 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Mother Purkett worked continuously by the side of Administrative Assistant Purkett as he pastored New Mission Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago (“NMT”) for over 40 years.
Honors of Mother Purkett include:
- - Recipient of the “Faithful Servant Award” presented by Elder Norvel Woolfork of the C.H. Mason Historical Society in Chicago, Illinois.
- - Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary to the late Jurisdictional Supervisors Mother Lillian Cawthon and Mother Ruth Stanton.
- - Assistant Jurisdictional Supervisor of Southern Illinois, 2003 to 2008: Coordinated quarterly Northern Regional Women’s Fellowship Mission & Unity Meetings and served on the Jurisdictional Prelate Executive Committee.
- - State Supervisor of Southern Illinois Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in November 7, 2008 to present.
- - National Advisory Board Member for the Department of Women, November 3, 2011 to present.
- - McGlothen House Administrative Board Member, November 10, 2016 to present.
Mother Purkett continues to serve faithfully at NMT under the leadership of her pastor and son, Elder Herbert J. Purkett, Jr. She is a prayer warrior, teacher, and loves the Lord and His word with all of her heart!
