Obituary for Mattie Pearl Johnson (James)
Mattie Pearl James Johnson, the beloved daughter of the late Willie James and Tressie Mae Searles, was born on September 28, 1945 in Eastman, Georgia.
“Pearl,” as she is lovingly known by family and friends, spent most of her childhood in Eastman, Georgia before relocating to Parksley, Virginia, where she remained until her passing. She was a dedicated employee at Tyson Foods for many years until her retirement.
Pearl will be remembered as a loving person that would do anything for anybody. She was truly devoted to her family. She loved dancing and partying with her family and friends. Pearl will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Beulah Searles and Christine Wooten; two brothers, Roosevelt Searles and James Searles; great-nephew, Devin Austin; and a niece, Sarina Searles.
She leaves to cherish her loving memories: her husband, Wilbert Johnson of Accomac, VA; one son, David (Arnita) Ward of Bloxom, VA; three daughters, Brenda James and Ineta Ward, both of Parksley, VA, and April Graham of Accomac, VA; a niece that she raised as her own, Elizabeth Taylor of NC; a special adopted daughter, Yvonne Haggins of Onancock, VA; three sisters, Mary Rayfield of Oak Hall, VA, Mae Harmon of Onancock, VA, and Elizabeth Searles of Gainsville, FL; two brothers, Johnnie Searles of Parksley, VA and Henry (Minnie Pearl) Searles of Eastman, GA; sixteen grandchildren, Latisha James, Kevin James, Dyshawn James, Jaquana Ward, Jonta Ward, Jamesha Ames, Shytaza Lewis, Marita Bonneville, Brittany Palmer, Kamesha Palmer, Tameshia Hunter, Ursula Spady, Jabria Brown, Nakiya Williams, Lethon Williams, and Tyquawn Searles; fourteen great-grandchildren; a special niece, Betty Searles; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Sorrowfully submitted,
The Family
“Pearl,” as she is lovingly known by family and friends, spent most of her childhood in Eastman, Georgia before relocating to Parksley, Virginia, where she remained until her passing. She was a dedicated employee at Tyson Foods for many years until her retirement.
Pearl will be remembered as a loving person that would do anything for anybody. She was truly devoted to her family. She loved dancing and partying with her family and friends. Pearl will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Beulah Searles and Christine Wooten; two brothers, Roosevelt Searles and James Searles; great-nephew, Devin Austin; and a niece, Sarina Searles.
She leaves to cherish her loving memories: her husband, Wilbert Johnson of Accomac, VA; one son, David (Arnita) Ward of Bloxom, VA; three daughters, Brenda James and Ineta Ward, both of Parksley, VA, and April Graham of Accomac, VA; a niece that she raised as her own, Elizabeth Taylor of NC; a special adopted daughter, Yvonne Haggins of Onancock, VA; three sisters, Mary Rayfield of Oak Hall, VA, Mae Harmon of Onancock, VA, and Elizabeth Searles of Gainsville, FL; two brothers, Johnnie Searles of Parksley, VA and Henry (Minnie Pearl) Searles of Eastman, GA; sixteen grandchildren, Latisha James, Kevin James, Dyshawn James, Jaquana Ward, Jonta Ward, Jamesha Ames, Shytaza Lewis, Marita Bonneville, Brittany Palmer, Kamesha Palmer, Tameshia Hunter, Ursula Spady, Jabria Brown, Nakiya Williams, Lethon Williams, and Tyquawn Searles; fourteen great-grandchildren; a special niece, Betty Searles; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Sorrowfully submitted,
The Family