AHOSKIE – Pearl Simmons Hall, age 90, of Ahoskie, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2014 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Hall was born on January 10, 1924 to the late Mervin and Madeline (Wiggins) Simmons in Ahoskie, NC.  She was a longtime, faithful member of Pleasant Plains Baptist Church.

A devoted wife and mother, Pearl was the matriarch of her family.  Working side-by-side with her husband, McClary, she helped build and operate one of the first minority businesses in Ahoskie, managed their household and raised nine surviving children.  A strong believer in the power of education, she made sure that all her children had that opportunity.  She lived to see all of them graduate from college, attain professional degrees or start their own businesses.

Widely known and respected throughout the community, she not only looked to the welfare of her family but was a source of wisdom and support for others. “Mrs. Pearl”, as she was known, gave more to help others than will ever be known.

Left to cherish her memory are her nine children, Laverne Toliver of Ahoskie, NC, Elsie H. Powell of Ahoskie, NC, Maxine Dowe of Springfield, VA, McClary Hall Jr. of Ahoskie, NC, Portia D. Walls of Cary, NC, Ricky D. Hall of Ahoskie, NC, Terry J. Hall of Ahoskie, NC, Karen T. Ingram of Manassas, VA, and Donna Hall of Ahoskie, NC; three sisters, Shirley Lewter of Ahoskie, NC, Evelyn Revelle of Philadelphia, PA, and Amaza Pope of Villa Rica, GA; 16 grandchildren; and 23 great grandchildren. Besides her parents, Pearl was preceded in death by her loving husband, McClary Hall, Sr.

The family will receive friends at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie Chapel on Friday, August 8, 2014, from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m.  A Celebration of Life service will be conducted on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Ashe officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation-Eastern North Carolina, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC, 27612.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Hall family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.