Today we remember the life of Pearlline Viola Kennedy who was born in New York Harlem Hospital on April 12th 1957. Her father was William Kennedy Jr and her mother was Catherine Middleton Kennedy. Pearline was one of six children born to their union: Georgia May Middleton, Peter Middleton, Sam Middleton, Carol Kennedy and Bobby Middleton.
She attended public school 194 and went on to Julia Richmond High School. She suffered the loss of her mother at a young age which led her to help raise her sister and brothers which her dad, family was important to Pearl. She liked having a good time with anyone she chose to call family, laughing, dancing, joking and just getting to really enjoy your company.
While dealing with life and all that it meant to her Pearl was able to have a life/family of her own,she met this young man named Charlie Fairfield Parker whom together they welcomed their only daughter. Seeing how Pearl loved the Lord after studying her bible and having her daughter she became a Baptized Jehovah Witness all the way until she left New York, “The Big Apple ”. With all the fun comes a balance of course and that meant working a multitude of jobs in many different fields such as a Custodian, HHA, Daycare staff member and a COOK. That was a huge step for Pearl, leaving the city life and trading her dancing heels for daily running/walking sneakers, but she knew she had to ,so she moved to Virginia to lay down her last roots, working at Copeland’s Hot Dogs Restaurant until retirement.
On Pearl’s, departure she leaves behind her daughter,
(Kimberly Kennedy), her grandson’s (Alton Jarrell Thomas Jr.) and (Lejuan Maurice Thomas), a brother (Bobby Middleton), a host of nieces and nephews. Plus a handful of lifelong friends that became her family.
Pearline had a beautiful life and some of the things she was happy to have seen and did are as follows: Firstly, having a powerful level of persistence to take on the endless challenges of life. Secondly, a beautiful daughter that she got to see grow into the strong, vibrant woman she knew she was capable of being, seeing her grandson grow into young men whom she bestowed good morals upon. Thirdly and importantly she LIVED LIFE.
So with that being said is the last message from Pearl not forever just for now. “ I know I will be missed, I ask that you not cry and be sad but choose to celebrate my life. Cherish the memories we’ve created and know I will always be in your hearts”.
