J. Carroll Purtle, age 67, of Jerusalem, Arkansas, passed away Friday, June 19, 2020. He was born September 15, 1952 in Malvern, Arkansas, a son of James E. Purtle and Kitesy Reynolds Purtle. He was a public school superintendent and a member of Lonoke Baptist Church. He took pride in having worked in rural schools for over 40 years and loved many students as his own. God blessed him with children of his own late in life and they became his world. 
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Bobo Purtle; daughters, Kitesy Purtle and Anna Purtle, both of Jerusalem; son, Caleb Purtle of Jerusalem; and two sisters, Margaret Hall of Texas and Marilyn Kelley of East End, Arkansas. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by three children, Rebekah Ann Purtle, Elizabeth Mary Purtle, and Joel David Purtle; niece, Jessica Kelley; and two nephews, Nathan Stiles and Jerry Briscoe. 
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, at the Harris Chapel with Bro. Tom Mitchell officiating. Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, at Holly Springs Cemetery in Spring Hill, Arkansas with Bro. Eric Fisher officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, at the Harris Funeral Home.