Pearlie Mae Reed

Pearlie Mae Berry Reed transitioned peacefully on Friday, November 19, 2021. She was 77. Within seven amazing decades, this incredible woman found a way to leave an indelible mark on the life of every person she touched.

The unforgettable moment in time was May 22, 1944; it was then that Pearlie Mae made her grand entrance into the world. Delivered by a midwife in Lake Village, Arkansas she was the beloved daughter of Henry and Gervordia Gordon Berry.  Family played a key role in the development and shaping of her life.

Pearlie Mae accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a little girl. She received her formal education at the Ouachita County Training School and attended cosmetology school in Camden. She was a longtime faithful member of First Missionary Baptist Church where she served as the church mother, with the WMU, president of the Youth Usher Board and a member of the Pastors Aide committee. She was a former employee of Millcreek where she worked as a cook for over 10 years. As an entrepreneur, she owned a small beauty shop, “Miss Pearlie’s”.

She married Ellis Reed on November 19, 1986, and together they shared great times and memories that spanned over 30 years. She was a risk-taker, a go-getter. She lived life to the fullest and always encouraged others to do the same. She inspired many. Pearlie was always the life of the party. She made life-long friends wherever she went.

She enjoyed planting flowers, and gardening. Always impeccably dressed she matched her outfit, shoes, purse, and jewelry; even down to matching fingernail polish. She was a fashionista in her rights and did things “Pearlie’s way.” She loved family gatherings where she dominated the spades table and particularly loved the hilarious bragging rights stemming from her frequent wins. She was an avid reader and drowned herself in reading romance novels.

A true servant in every aspect of the word Pearlie Mae did not mind lending her time, talent, and treasures to many people, causes, and church events. She was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader at their sporting events and was a die-hard Bearden Bears fan. Of all the notable titles and respected positions, she was a committed wife, super mother, sweet grandmother, loving great-grandmother aunt, and a true friend.

Pearlie Mae was a true jewel and will be missed by many. She was preceded in passing by her parents; one son, Charles Edward Rideout, one sister and eight brothers

Pearlie Mae leaves an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of her husband, Ellis Reed of Bearden; her daughters, Gevordia Yvette Matthews of Tulsa, OK and Paulette (Johnny) Jackson of Fordyce, AR; a god-daughter, Zina (Randal) Lambert of Milwaukee, WI; her grandchildren, Ramone Rideout, Cody Rideout, Lenora Rideout, Kandeshia Rideout, Cornell Rideout, Nekeia Rideout, Kiswanna Jackson and Donald Starks and her great-grandchildren, Ta’Laysha Simon, Jaidyn Rideout and Ahmad Jackson. She also leaves one brother, Hill (Yvonne) Berry of Bearden, AR; special friends, Catherine Nelson Brunston, Rev. and Mrs. J. C. Owens, Pearlene and Thomas Thrower, Virginia Faye (Jeffery) Hall and a host of nieces, nephews, who she loved dearly and the First Missionary Baptist Church family.

A celebration of her life will be will be at the FO Jones Christian Center in Bearden, Arkansas with Rev. J. C. Owens, eulogist. Interment will be at Moss Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cody Rideout, Cornell Rideout, Edward Berry, Demarcie Berry, Donald Starks BJ Barker and Joe Anthony Berry, II. Honorary pallbearers will be Hill Berry, Rev. Vernon Thompson, Thomas Thrower, John Rogers, Ramone Rideout and the Deacons for First Missionary Baptist Church.