Pearlie Leola Vencill

Pearlie Leola Vencill, 82 passed away August 26, 2013 in the loving care of her family. She was born to the late Margaret and Glenn Vencill in Russell County Virginia on November 4, 1930. She was one of 11 children. Pearlie is predeceased by her siblings, Ruth Vincill “Sis”, Clarence Vencill “Cab”, Geraldine Puckett “Dean” and Oneita Mason “Neat”.

Pearlie, affectionately known as “Olie” to her niece Darlene, was a live-in-caregiver and companion for her family members and those in her community for many years. She loved to garden, cook, crochet, and sew as her favorite pastimes. She also attended Oak Grove Baptist church on Princess Anne Road, where she participated in the women’s group.

She loved to spend time and visit with her great-grandchildren; they were the joy of her life. She was a strong willed woman who was very independent drawing from her faith in God. Up until her final days, she held on to her spirit. She will be missed by all who came to know her over the years.

Pearlie leaves to cherish her memory, her son Clarence “Ted” Vencill; grandchildren Wendy Hitchings, and Christine “Teresa” Jackson; siblings, Mattilee Cox “Matt”, June Biglin “ Bug”, Ralph Vencill, Jack Vencill “Lightning” , Gene Vencill; Great-grandchildren, Elaine Turner, Noel Vencill, Gabrielle Jackson and Isabella Jackson; Niece and care-giver Darlene Churchwell, and a host of loving nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Services will be held August 31, 2013 at 10:30am at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk VA 23502.

Eulogy for Pearlie Vencill by Darlene Churchwell

Now that arrangements are make for today’s service have been finalized, I can stop to reflect on what I want to share with everyone about the person we came here to honor and remember. As most of you already know, she was known by a few names. She was Olie (Ol-lee) to me, Pot to her sister and brothers, Leola to her church family and Pearlie to her nurses who cared for her. I’m not quite sure how I came to call her Olie, but I think that was my version of the name Pearlie and this is how I will always think of her.

Olie was a large part of my entire life that was just how it was for me, life as I knew it. Me, my mom & dad and Olie. Although she was just a shell of herself these past several years, I was always happy to hear the “Miss Pearlie” stories when came to visit. That was how I know she still had some of her spirit and personality left that Dementia couldn’t take away. These stories became a great source of comfort to me after watching so many other things about her disappear. In fact she kept some of her spirit until the end. There were so many stories but I have a few in particular I want to share. The nurses couldn’t keep her socks and shoes on. Somehow she managed to pull her legs up to her chest to be able to pull off socks, then she would kick off her shoes and prop her bare feet up on the desk at the nurses’ station. Also, sometimes I hear about a lot was bath time…For some reason she was not very fond of getting a bath and would fuss rather loudly so that everyone in the facility knew what was going on. Thank goodness I don’t think anyone could really tell what she was saying, but she got her point across. And finally, this past Friday just a few hours before she became unresponsive she had surprisingly clear words for the nurse who came to check her blood sugar. After the finger stick she said “damn you”. She was entertainment for the staff and everyone who came in contact with her walked away with a smile. I heard from many nurses she was their favorite.

Nine years ago this past March I stood to remember my mother. All these years late I realized something I said at her service applies to today. I’d like to quote a sentence and add to it. “The Lord in his infinite wisdom know when he gave me the Ruth & Fred Vincill what my purpose in life would be. My job was to take care of those 2 wonderful people”. Well, I wasn’t entirely accurate because I must include Olie into that equation and say it was my job to take care of those 3 wonderful people.

It is very hard for me to say goodbye. I’m closing a very big chapter in my life which no longer includes having one of them to take care of, but I know without a doubt Olie’s in heave surrounded by family and friends who were waiting Monday evening with open arms to greet her. She had finally begun to live again.

In closing, I would like to quote a saying I found online that wholeheartedly believe to be true. “I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love and indelible imprinted in our memories and we find comfort in knowing our living have been enriched by having shared their love”.

Thank you all for coming.