Pallbearers Mondreco Glass Joe McWilliams, Jr.

Eddie Lee, Jr Kobe Perdue Darryl McWilliams Randy Williams

Flower Bearers Warcheta Bedgood Wilma Minor

Juliette Jenkins Bettye Sanders Rosa Sellers Miles Deborah Sellers

Belinda Wine

Interment Valhalla Cemetery

839 Wilkes Rd Birmingham, AL 35228

Repast New Pilgrim Baptist Church Pavilion

Acknowledgement In gratitude for your thoughts, visits, prayers, telephone calls, and expressions of kindness during this period of bereavement, we the family of Pearlie Lee McWilliams Perdue, “Thank You” and ask for your continued prayers as we journey through life. You have given joy and comfort to our hearts and we will always cherish your thoughtfulness. —The Family

Services Entrusted To Davenport and Harris Funeral Home, Inc.

301 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SW Birmingham, Alabama 35211

(205)252-2103 http://www.davenportharris.com

HOMEGOING CELEBRATION FOR

Pearlie Lee McWilliams

Perdue

November 23, 2019 11:00 AM

New Pilgrim Baptist Church

708 Goldwire Place, SW Birmingham, Alabama 35211

Rev. Dr. James H. Brooks, Senior Pastor

Officiating

Sunrise April 14, 1925

Sunset November 12, 2019

In the beginning God created a precious and rare jewel. Pearlie Lee McWilliams Perdue was born to the late Arwillie Sellers McWilliams and Tommie McWilliams in Braggs, Alabama on April 14, 1925. Pearlie was the eldest child of eight and the family matriarch. She was preceded in death by: husband, John Perdue; three brothers, Jimmy, Joe and Tommie, Jr.; three sisters, Johnnie Mae, Ethel Pearl and Marie; daughter-in law Janie Perdue and first born grandson Louis Custard, IV. Pearlie began her Christian journey by giving her life to Christ at an early age. She made roots at New Salem Baptist Church in Braggs, Alabama. She moved to Birmingham, Alabama where she was a faith-ful and dedicated member of New Pilgrim Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend N.H. Smith, Jr. and current Pastor James H. Brooks. She served untiringly in the April Sheepfold, Bread of Life Ministry and Cathedral Choir until her health failed. Pearlie was employed with Brock Drug Store and later managed the household operations for the prominent family of M.A. Cohen for 41 years. A loyal and dedicated employee. Pearlie married the late John Perdue and to that union, one son Lee Arthur and one daughter Ruby were born. And later, she met the late Louis Custard, Jr. and to this union, her baby son Louis, III was born. Pearlie loved her children. Pearlie was the “Anchor” for her family. She had a genuine giving spirit and relentlessly showed love. She was always trusted to be there whether needed or not. She would always make it known, “Mama had one set of twins and I was definitely not one of them”. She was guided by God and effortlessly provided support to her family. Pearlie operated in her God-given gift on a daily bases. A true “unwavering provider” serving everyone she encountered. She fed many, anybody in need; she was there to serve. She was responsible for the gift that God bestowed upon her, until her time of completion. Pearlie waited patiently to hear the voice of God, “Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of the Lord”. She quietly left her earthly home and joined her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. She received her crown, her labor was finished and her transition complete! Pearlie’s family was the compass that guided her. Her love and soul are joined for life. Precious memo-ries will always be with her two sons: Lee Arthur Perdue and Louis (Deloris) Custard, III both of Birming-ham, AL; one daughter Ruby (Lee Ernest) Perdue Gilliam of Birmingham, AL; one sister Josephine Douglas of Cleveland, OH; one aunt Jesse Mae McGill of Whitehall, AL; six grandchildren Patricia, Don-ald, Rocelius, Deundra and Nikkeshia all of Birmingham, AL; Bernadette (Rodney) of Ellenwood, GA; eleven great grandchildren Mondreco, Dominque, DeMarco, Cheyenne (Cornelius); Korien, Ken Darrius, Kobe, Kahmiya and Daelyn all of Birmingham, AL, Miah and Tyson of Ellenwood, GA; three great-great grandchildren Mondreco, Jr., A’Myrical and Kaidyn all of Birmingham, AL; six nephews Winston, Peter, Darryl (Kimberly), Randy (Cleo), Eddie Jr. and Joe Jr.(LaTanya); four nieces Jearlene (Victor), Jacquel-ine, Sharon and Tamekia (Fletcher); seven great nephews Dominique, JoJustin, Brandon (Liz), Darren, Toi Darrius, Durrell, Jamal, Dezman and Jamari; four great nieces Kristen, Rayonna, Sakia and Asya; four great-great nephews Brandon Jr., Ja’zon, and Deandre; three great-great nieces Ka’Liyah, Draya, and Aria; one devoted friend Laura Harris, host of cousins and friends.

Obituary

Organ Prelude

Processional

It Is Well

Musical Selection

New Pilgrim Cathedral Choir

The Holy Scriptures

The Old Testament — Rev. Jerry Cunningham

New Testament — Rev. Donald Sellers

Prayer

Rev. James Bell

Remarks, Reflections, Resolutions (Two Minutes)

Family — Mattie Adell

Friends

Solo — Sis. Rose Sager

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Eulogy

Rev. Dr. James H. Brooks

Senior Pastor

Musical Selection — New Pilgrim Cathedral Choir

Jesus Will

Sis. Jasmine McGaha, Lead

Recessional

Order of Service

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.

He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil;

my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Day God Took You Home

A million times

I've needed you

A million times I've cried,

If love alone

Could have saved you

You never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly;

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a space,

Where no one can ever fill.

It broke my heart to lose you,

But you didn't go alone

Part of me went with you,

The day god took you home.

I will always love you,

Your daughter

Ruby

Miss Me But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,

Why cry for a soul set free! Miss me a little - but not for long

And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared,

Miss me, but let me go. For this journey that we all must take

And each must go alone; It's all a part of the Master's plan

A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friends we know, And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me, but let me go.

We will forever love and miss you,

Your sons

Lee Arthur “BoBo” and Louis “Sport”