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BY ROZELLLA HARDIN
Editorial Director
rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com
Pearl Smith’s children described her as a “a jewel of a woman.” Mrs Pearl, who died May 17 at the age of 97 was a long-time resident of Elizabethton’s black community. However, she was well-known all over the Elizabethton community, especially for her cooking and love for the Lord.
Her obituary noted she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who stood in the gap for her children. Her loving compassion, prayers, joy, and wisdom extended far beyond her family and flowed into the lives of her church family, her community, and wherever she went.
In her earlier years, Mrs. Pearl worked as a beautician. Eventually, she and her husband, James, re-located to Elizabethton from Steinman, Va. It was here in Elizabethton she and James raised their family of three boys and six girls. For more than 70 years she was a faithful member of Phillippi Baptist Church, serving in numerous capacities.
For a number of years she worked at the First United Methodist Church in Elizabethton, where she helped prepare meals for various church functions, fellowship dinners, and wedding receptions and parties. She became well known throughout the area for her homemade dinner rolls and chicken salad. She was one of Elizabethton’s finest cooks.
She later worked at American Air Filter, and after her retirement in 1989, she became a partner and chief caterer for the Rose of Sharon cooking ministry. “She enjoyed helping with weddings and dinner parties,” said her daughter, Jan.
“She enjoyed cooking, and was one of the best cooks around. She not only cooked with ingredients, but with love. Long before chicken salad became popular in this area, she was making it and selling it by the pounds,” Lillian, another daughter, added.
As long as she had children in school, Mrs. Pearl stayed active in the Elizabethton School System, whether it be football, band, choir, whatever. She seldom missed a football game or band concert. She also attended many of the school events her grandchildren were in. Mrs. Pearl served as a Girl Scout leader, was a former Elizabethton High School PTA President, and officer of the EHS Band Boosters.
“Her greatest love was for the Lord and her church. She seldom missed a service and was active in the Anna Breedlove Circle, leader of the Sunshine Band, president of the mass choir, and a member of the Usher Board. She also fully participated in the Bethel District Baptist Missionary and Education Association,” Lillian shared.
“There was no sitting around with Momma. She stayed busy. She was also well-known for her community work. She formerly served as a member of the Carter County Election Commission, UT Extension Family and Community Education, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Red Cross, and Comwolies Civic Club. If Momma seen a place she could serve or be helpful, she was there,” Lillian shared.
Many remember Mrs. Pearl delivering Meals on Wheels, serving with the Melting Pot, and even providing home-cooked meals from her own pantry for the sick and elderly of the community. Mrs. Pearl stayed busy and looked for ways to help others.
Lillian shared that her mother never met a stranger and befriended a lot of business people in the community. “She never met a stranger, and if you visited at our house, there was always an invitation to eat. Momma always cooked on Sundays, and there always were a lot students at our house as well as other people. But, first your went to church, and then you ate,” Lillian said.
“She was the forefront of the community and was a supporter of so many positive things in Elizabethton. She loved her community, her church, her family, and she always gave God the glory for the good in her life and family,” Lillian said.
In recent years she had been unable to minister to others or attend community functions due to ill health, but she did her part. Pearl Smith was well-known in the Elizabethton community and always wore a smile and had a kind word for others.
She has finished her work on this earth and is now with her Heavenly Father. But, what memories she leaves for those left behind.