Mrs. Pearlie Smith

On a cold winter night on October 23, 1940 a beautiful baby girl was born to Mr. Roosevelt Clark and Mrs. Elmonia Andres Clark in San Augustine, Texas and they named her Pearlie Mae (Pearl). Pearl grew up in San Augustine and attended New Hope Public Grade School there until 2nd grade. Her parents moved to Diboll, Texas and she continued her education and graduated from H.G. Temple High School with the class of 1958. Pearl married Mr. Ben Otis Smith in 1963, her husband for 52 years, until his death in 2016. No children were born to that union, but Pearl reared one stepson from age 4 until his death in 1999; Pearl is the stepmother of Ms. Linda Freeman. Pearl was a longtime employee of Texas Instrument, Telxon and Lite Comm in electronics until her health retired her, but she never stopped doing the work of the Lord. Pearl accepted Christ at an early age in her heart. She united with Shilo Missionary Baptist Church in Diboll, Texas under the late Pastor Rev. Braxton. Upon moving to Houston after many years, she was saved and born again in March 1976 in her home, she then united with the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Rev. Dr. Jefferson and remained there until the spirit of God led her to the North Main Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Pastor Bishop William Nelson Godfrey. In 1979 Pearl was filled with the Holy Ghost, and she put her hands to work and never looked back. Missionary Pearl was called to the ministry of God after work in 1988 but did not acknowledge her calling until the year of 1992. Missionary Pearl attended Greater Emmanuel Bible and the C.H. Mason Bible College where she received her Evangelist Missionary License in July 1997. Missionary Pearl serves as an assistant Sunday School teacher for Class #6. Missionary Pearl was placed on the Mother’s Board by Pastor Collins in 2002 where she served until her death. Additionally, Pearl served as leader of Thursday Noon Day Prayer with the Lord’s Supper (communion), Altar Worker, Gift Committee for Pastor/Wife Anniversary, organized Missionary and Bible Band Annual Day 100 Women in White, hospital contact person, participated in outreach ministry, nursing home care, worked on Usher Board until health would not permit anymore, sang in the Gospel Choirs, and countless other acts of service. Missionary Pearl leaves to cherish her memories: stepdaughter Linda J. Freeman of Houston, TX, two grandchildren Mr. Calvin Simmons, Jr. of Houston, TX and Dr. Cecelia S. Martin of Houston, TX, two great-granddaughters Tyler Joyce Martin and Kennedy Joyce Martin of Houston, TX, one brother Mr. Manzel of Lufkin, TX, two Goddaughters Cleopatra Billips and Datril Smith, three special nieces Glenda D. Clark Leassear, Prinzola Levias Ward, Vanessa A. Levias Charmbly, and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends, and a very special longtime friend of many years, her prayer partner and sister in Christ, Mrs. Earnestine Newkirk.

Mrs. Pearlie Smith

October 23, 1940 - August 31, 2018