Pearlie Mae Hutchieson

June 2, 1934 - April 9, 2020

Pearlie Smith Hutchieson was born to Robbie and Fred Smith on June 2, 1934 in Arlington, Tennessee. She was an only child and lived on a farm with her parents, until the death of her mother. At age 5, she was entrusted to the care of her Aunt Excie Bonner, who became ‘Mother’ to her. Granny to us. When reminiscing her life on the farm she often said the animals were her friends, a sentiment she passed on to her children. As a young woman in the mid- 50s, Pearlie migrated ‘North’ to Chicago with her children Antonia, Anthony and Eugenia. Some time later her mother, Excie, joined them. She worked as a keypunch operator while taking classes at night to obtain her high school diploma. Later she worked in home healthcare. But she wasn’t all business. She enjoyed playing cards, music, sewing, auto mechanics, and gardening. You name it, she could do it. Or at least tried her best. In the early 60s, she moved into the 220 East 63rd Street housing project. Later, in 1971, she bought a little house in the 1300 block East on 71st Place. Like one big family, the residents looked out for each other. Pearlie filled the role of friend, mentor and mother to many. She felt that all children were hers if they needed her. At times she told them things they didn’t want to hear. It was from the heart and out of love. But among the life lessons she taught her own children, the most memorable was to respect the rights of others, treat others the way you want to be treated and to provide for yourself. Good advice for someone who was a good provider. We had what we needed. At times what we wanted. She truly loved us. In later years, after a thorough study of the Bible, on July 29, 2000, she symbolized her dedication to Jehovah God by means of water baptism, becoming one of his witnesses. She was a member of the Oak Woods Congregation. She spoke to anyone who would listen about the Bible truths she learned. She did the best she could in the ministry until her health began to fail. For the last 5 years she was a resident at the Waterfront Terrace Nursing Center. There too she shared what she learned from the Bible. She was an inspiration to the residents and staff. Visitors would often say they were the ones who left encouraged. Pearlie fell asleep in death peacefully in the afternoon of April 9, 2020. We look forward to welcoming her back in the resurrection as Jesus promised at John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15. That is what she often talked about. Pearlie leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Nikita and Sheila; grandchildren, Marlena, Renee, Brandy, Tannika (Marlon); great grandchildren, Lauren (Braiden), Amber, Sierra, Christian, Kashari, Ivan, Marke, Jay, Jaylon, Nautica, and Armani; great-great grandchildren, Chase, Knox and Desire; Christine Jones, a wonderful neighbor, like a mother to us and a sister to our Pearlie. And many more beloved relatives and spiritual friends.