Pearl Markham

On May 14, 1933 she was born to James Henry and Edith Mae (McLeod) Griffin in Sumter, South Carolina, the oldest daughter of 13 children. Growing up, she attended a country school, helped with family chores and picked cotton. Pearl would say, “We were poor but hardly knew it. There was plenty of love and laughter to go around.”

She married Benton Markham Jr., on April 4th, 1951, and together they raised 6 children. Her husband was in the Air Force and she and the children moved to various locations during his military career, including Puerto Rico.

In 1963, feeling a calling from God, she and her husband entered the The Salvation Army’s School for Officers Training and were sent two years later to their first appointment, Coos Bay, Oregon. Their career took them to other locations such as Great Falls, Montana; Salt Lake City, Utah; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Hilo, Hawaii; Majuro, Marshall Islands; Bakersfield, California; Vancouver, Washington; and then to Albuquerque, New Mexico where they retired after 34 years as Salvation Army officers. During her career, Pearl had a unique ministry to so many women and children who felt her grace, her warmth and her unconditional love. She always looked forward to being around people and her southern hospitality was a hallmark of who she was. Pearl enjoyed cooking and sharing what she had with others.

In her retirement years, she and her husband settled in Southern California and then in Spokane to be closer to family. Pearl kept busy doing crafts, quilting and needle work, putting together puzzles and staying in touch with her family and friends. Her door was open to everyone. Pearl will always be remembered for her love, her faith, her generosity and her sweet spirit.

Pearl is survived by her husband, Benton Riley Markham Jr., her children: Benton Markham III (JoAnn) of Spokane, WA; Lorena Vincent (Scott) of Spokane, WA; Margaret Peacock (Richard) of Phoenix, AZ; twins, Edward Markham (Pamela) of Spokane, WA and Edmund Markham (Sandy) of Elmira, Oregon; Quinton Markham (Deanna) of Glendale, CA; one brother, Henry Ray Griffin; and four sisters, Mildred Osteen, Barbara Garcia, Linda Masi and Kathy Morris; seventeen grandchildren, and twenty six great grandchildren—all touched by her example of a life well lived, a life spent serving God.

The family would like to thank Horizon Hospice and Northpointe Memory Care for their kind and attentive care for her in her last days. Charitable donations in her memory can be made to The Salvation Army of Spokane.