Woman of God goes home to her Maker
There were glowing tributes in song and spoken word for the late Pearlita Powell at a thanksgiving service in her honour on Saturday, January 27, at the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God in Clarendon.
Powell was a member for 52 years. Mourners crammed the church, and some even had to stay in the churchyard to show their last respects.
Teslin Brown told mourners that Powell was a good friend. She said she had lost an irreplaceable, true prayer warrior. Brown said that Powell was a great example to especially the young people in her church.
“She impacted many lives in the church and the community while working hard in almost every department in this church. Sister Pearl has served with distinction. She was a true woman of God, a real champion who never condoned wrong. She was very kind-hearted, and her culinary skills were impeccable,” said Brown.
Elder Reginald Foster, while paying his tribute to the community icon, added that Powell was never afraid to give to those who were in need. He also described her as a true worshipper.
Winnifred Davis, who gave tribute on behalf of the church, said that Powell was a gem who was most precious to everyone. She added that Powell was a tower of strength to those who were in need of prayer.
“Sister Pearl was an amazing woman who defied pain and fear. She was loyal to God in giving. She was a grateful woman to all and ungrateful to none. She was a real Church of God veteran,” said Davis.
VIRTUOUS WOMAN
In doing the remembrance, Yvonne Powell-Panther, Sister Pearl’s daughter, described her mother as a virtuous woman who was always there for her and her siblings.
She said that her mother was a disciplinarian who taught all her children and grandchildren how to show respect and love to others.
“She always started family devotions every morning at four. She taught all of us to be faithful to the Lord, and she taught us values and attitudes we will never forget. Those values and attitudes are what we have been using to grow our own children,” said Powell-Panther.
Delivering the eulogy, Cynthia Lyseight, the eldest daughter of the deceased, shared that Powell was an excellent cook and housewife.
“She did vending at both the Spalding and Frankfield markets, and the returns from her vending activities were what she used to assist in sending us to school. [She ensured] that we got a good education. She was the grandmother of Sanguinetti. Many children in this community were fed by her,” said Lyseight.
Powell, who died peacefully on January 1, has left behind to cherish her memory five children, 19 grandchildren, and 25 greatgrandchildren. Powell was laid to rest at her family plot at Sanguinetti. Feedback: pehenrya@ hotmail.com