Reverend Pearl A. White

Funeral services for Reverend Pearl A. White will conducted  Wednesday, May 8, 2019 2:00 P.M. Bush River Missionary Baptist Church Newberry, South Carolina.

Reverend Pearl A. White, wife of the late Reverend Edward P. White, was born April 20, 1914, to the late Pott and Mollie Ellison Sheppard in Newberry County, South Carolina.

Reverend White entered into eternal rest on April 29, 2019, at 6:30 A.M. Reverend White was educated in the public schools in Newberry County. She loved the Lord and she spent her entire life serving the Lord. At an early age, she joined the Bush River Baptist Church family where she served as Associate Pastor, Pianist and Church mother as well as participated in numerous community service programs. On August 1, 1979, after a satisfactory demonstration of her Christian experience, Reverend White was publicly ordained to the work of The Gospel Ministry.

 Reverend White was affectionately known as Mother Pearl, Sister Pearl, and Aunt Dollie. She was a member of the Women’s Home Aid Society and Order of the Eastern Star #460. In addition, she was affiliated with several social and community organizations and when able, actively participated in Bush River Church activities and services. Reverend White served with the Golden Ministry and was a member of the Home Benefit Society, VFW, and Helena Brotherhood Society.

In July, 2010, Reverend White left Newberry, SC, to live with her niece in Leisure World, a gated community for active senior adults in Silver Spring, MD. During her many walks around the community, she marveled over the beautiful trees and flowers and loved dining in the restaurants that were located on the campus. She looked forward to her visits every summer to Newberry, SC, where she was extended the utmost love and hospitality of her beloved pastor, church family and wonderful friends. Reverend White was truly a soldier for the Lord. She read the Bible every day, sometimes twice a day.

She was very passionate about politics and one of her greatest moments, was on August 2, 2016, when she accepted and attended a luncheon invitation from President and Mrs. Obama at the White House. Every year, around her birthday, Reverend White attended “A Salute to Maryland Centenarians” in Baltimore, MD, where she played the piano and sang for other guests and their family celebrating reaching a milestone of 100 years or older. Just before Spring 2017, Reverend White moved to a nearby Rehabilitation Home on the advice of her Doctors where she continued her legacy of serving the Lord. She played her favorite hymns on the piano and sang for the residents when she was able.

Reverend Pearl leaves two nieces, Patricia Shepard and Dorothy Lockett; caretaker and friend, Gail Norris Hayes; cousins, Lalar Edwards, Margie Kinard, Jessie Mitchell and Buddy Ellison; stepdaughter, Gloria Holland; stepdaughter-in-law, Cheryl White; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

 Service Information