Lewises, Purdells Enter Honored Retirement

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Majors Dillmond and Donna Lewis recently entered honored retirement, Lewis having served more than 25 years and Major Donna Lewis more than 22 years.

Dillmond Lewis was born in Brookings, S.D., in 1931 and commissioned with the Ambassadors Session in the Central Territory in 1952, serving in several appointments in that territory.

Donna Lewis was born in 1933 and commissioned with the Messengers of the Faith Session in 1968 out of Redwood City, Calif.

The couple has three sons: Dale, David and Dwayne.

Together they served in appointments in Juneau, Alaska; San Diego, Oxnard, Ontario, El Centro, Newark, and Bakersfield, Calif. and Idaho Falls, Idaho. They also served as corps officers at Eugene Citadel and Major Dillmond Lewis was Lane County coordinator.

The Lewis’ retirement address is: 2030 Clear Ave., St. Paul MN 55119-3232.


Captains John and Arrie Purdell recently entered retirement after brief but significant careers.

Purdell was born in London, England, in 1932 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1966. He and Arrie May were married in 1960. They have six children: Wendy, Michele and Kim May and John, Arrie and Penelope Purdell.

Purdell began as an Envoy at the newly formed El Centro, Calif., Corps, in 1982. They became A/Captains at El Centro and then at the Van Nuys, Calif., Corps which later was re-named the San Fernando Valley Corps. Purdell became known for his innovative ministry and famed for his convincing representation of General William Booth.

In 1990, as Captains, they transferred to Cleveland, Ohio DHQ as Evangelist and Correctional Services & Special Services Secretary. In 1992 they served as corps officers at Dover, in Northeast Ohio, until returning to the West in 1995 to command the Santa Maria Corps.

The Purdells’ retirement address is: 325 [B.5] E. Betteravaia Ave., Suite #166, Santa Maria CA 93454-7848.

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