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Willie Pearl Hall Jones

Tuesday, March 25, 1930, Willie Pearl Hall Jones was born in the Saint Paul Community of Henderson County, Texas, the firstborn of two daughters of Eveline Collins and Alonzo Hall. She grew up in Malakoff, Texas, later moving with her family to Dallas, Texas. Two months after her sixteenth birthday in 1946, Willie Pearl graduated as Valedictorian of her class at Malakoff Colored High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas, and continued her education at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, and the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
Willie Pearl worked as a teacher in La Mesa, Texas, Port Gibson High School, and the Claiborne, Amite, Pike, and Lawrence County school districts. The largest portion of her teaching career was in Lawrence County. In 1993, she retired after 35 years as an educator.
Willie Pearl met Audrey Wayne Jones in the fall of 1955, and the couple wed on Sunday, March 25, 1956, Willie Pearl’s 26th birthday. She kept Audrey W.’s hand truly and lovingly for 63 years, three weeks, and five days until death did them part.
The couple had three daughters, Adrienne Denise, Zelda Arlene (Zerrie) and Carma Rochelle.
Willie Pearl’s walk with Jesus on this earth began at the First Baptist Church of Malakoff, Texas. She was baptized at an early age off the banks of a pond in rural Henderson County. Throughout her life, she served as a Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Superintendent and Teacher, Senior Choir Member, Kitchen Committee Member and Mission Member. In later years, as her memory faded, her kindness to others never faded.
Willie Pearl truly loved people and loved to fellowship, entertain, and socialize through church, school reunions, Delta Sigma Theta conventions, weddings and graduations. She also loved to celebrate Christmas with her friends, family and students.
On Good Friday, April 19, 2019, Willie Pearl crossed the River Jordan into a new and better life. She united with her new family, those who have accepted the invitation to believe in Jesus the Christ.
She leaves behind to mourn her crossing all here on earth who steadfastly and wholeheartedly loved her in return.