Obituaries » MARY PEARL SMITH
PrintMARY PEARL SMITH
September 16, 1937 - December 26, 2022
Burial Date: January 7, 2023
There will not be a visitation. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Pettis Memorial C.M.E. Church, 121 South Coanza Street, West Helena Arkansas. Interment will follow immediately at Jackson Memorial Cemetery, Lexa Arkansas. We will follow CDC guidelines: mask, hand sanitizer, and the social distance standard of 6ft apart. Mrs. Smith's service may be viewed live through ZOOM.
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Topic: Funeral Service for Mrs. Mary Smith will be held at Pettis Memorial C.M.E Church, West Helena AR
Time: Jan 7, 2023 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
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On September 16, 1937, a beautiful baby girl, Mary Pearl Brookins, was born to Katie L. Phillips Brookins and Howard Brookins, Sr. She was born in Meridian, Mississippi.
Mary Pearl Brookins would grow up and later marry, Brother Johnnie Smith, II on May 24, 1958 becoming Mary Pearl Brookins Smith. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage before Brother Smith was called home to glory in 2013. This union produced their two children, Ms. Wanda “Mia” Smith and Reverend Johnnie “Jay” Smith, III.
Sister Smith began her spiritual journey, accepting Christ as her personal Lord and Savior as a child, at the Okatibbee Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi. She would later join Pettis Memorial C.M.E. Church in West Helena, Arkansas where her husband was a devoted member.
Her educational pursuits at T.J. Harris High School in Meridian, Mississippi would lead her to receiving her Bachelor of Science Education at Jackson State College (now Jackson State University) and her Master of Education at the University of Arkansas. Sister Smith was a master at all levels of math, which included Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, and Calculus. Her educational preparation proved fruitful in her 39 years of teaching before retiring. She had students that believed in her because she believed in them. Not one to ever raise her voice in the classroom, her students loved her and appreciated that she loved them and wanted what was best for them in reaching their goals. She had many students that remembered her as one who meant business when it came to learning and the levels of accomplishments they could reach.
Sister Smith’s infinite endeavors and achievements include her being a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, NAACP, a consistent donor and supporter of the Disabled Veterans and the Democratic Party; AP&L Outstanding Teacher of the Year – 1992; Cambridge Who’s Who 2008 – 2009 as Organizer and Director of the Pettis Memorial Day Care & Learning Center. While at Pettis Memorial, she was a faithful member, serving as Missionary President and most recently honored as Missionary President Emeritus having served as the immediate past president of the Missionary Society, Primary Sunday School Teacher, Stewardess, a member of the Prison Ministry for the Juvenile Detention Center, Musician, Teacher at Crest Park Nursing Home in Helena – West Helena, Children’s after school tutor and organist.
Preceding her in death are her parents; Katie and Howard Brookins, siblings; Barbara, Madie, Katie, Ruth, Joseph, Howard, JD, John L., husband; Johnnie Smith, II and a granddaughter; Candace.
Left to celebrate her precious memories are her daughter and son; Ms. Wanda Smith of Helena – West Helena AR, Reverend Johnnie (Cheryl) Smith, III of Jackson MS, grandson; Aaron, great grandchildren; Skyla, Dedrek, Rhalen, and a host of nieces, nephews, church family, students, and friends.
