born on July 5, 1929 in Kentucky to Tollie William Baldridge and Gathel May Sturgill, with three
siblings, Mary, Clellie, and Eugene. She relocated to and was raised in Shelby, Ohio, near
extended family. During this period, her mother passed away due to tuberculosis and her father,
also battling tuberculosis, resided in a sanitarium. This led her to reside in a children’s home.
Her father later recovered and moved her and her sister to Arizona. Following the move, Pearl,
alongside her father and sister, worked at the Hotel Valley Ho in laundry. Shortly after, her father returned to Ohio. Pearl remained behind, first staying with her close friend Carlene’s family and later, her friend Jo’s family. In 1947, she joined the circus, where she met her soulmate, David Vernon Thomas. Alongside David, she flew through the sky as a trapeze artist, their act titled “The Four Jacks.” They performed at several locations such as the Rose Bowl, Shriners Circus, and state fairs. Their acrobatic careers ended with a final performance at the Arizona state fair following their marriage on October 12, 1947 when they married and moved to Peoria, Arizona.
In the following years, Pearl worked as a drug store clerk and ran the soda fountain. Later, she
became the town’s seamstress alongside family friend Dean Thompson. Following her work as
a seamstress, she spent the rest of her career alongside her soulmate at their business, David’s
Lawn Mower Service.
Pearl and David’s love was welcomed by their children Roger, Jeffrey, and Tracy. Roger was the curly-haired toddler, while Jeffrey was a wizard in mechanics, with Tracy the only daughter.
Pearl was a wonderful wife and mother who was always there when her family needed her.
In retirement, Pearl and David built a log home in Young, Arizona, enjoying the outdoors,
attending Cowboy Church, raising cattle, horses and one stubborn mule. Pearl later returned to
the valley and attended service at Hillside Baptist for many years, recently attending South
Peoria Baptist. Friends and those involved in her Bible studies remember her for her kind and
caring nature.
Pearl enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, playing cards, watching Fox News, and
crafting with her longtime Peoria friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, sons, and her grandson, Leon. She
is survived by her daughter and grandchildren, Raymond, Jennifer, Nicholas, Tawny, and Darby, and German relatives who are closely regarded as immediate family, Wayne and his family.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Green Acres
Glendale Mortuary, 5830 West Missouri Avenue, Glendale, AZ. A graveside service will be held
on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 9:00 AM at West Rest Haven Cemetery, 6450 W Northern
Ave, Glendale, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pearl's memory may be made to American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html.
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