Obituary of Willie Pearl Smith

Willie Pearl “Big Momma” was born on November 26, 1940 in Douglas, GA, to the late Annie Mae Jones and Henry Francis. Pearl was educated in the Georgia school system. In 1968, Pearl relocated her family to Philadelphia, PA. Pearl made her transition from labor to reward on March 20, 2016 in Jacksonville, FL. Pearl was affectionately known as Big Mama because of the countless children she assisted in raising. Big Momma believed in the village it took to raise a child. She enjoyed caring for children and would open her home to anyone in need. In 1985, Pearl decided to move her family back to Florida where she continued to love and care for children. Pearl accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age. She was a member of New Hope Pentecostal Church and Mother of the Church of God and Unity, where she served faithfully until her health began to fail. Big Momma enjoyed spending time with her family, childcare, reading, crocheting, knitting and shopping. She had a “green thumb” which was evident by her ability to grow beautiful flowers, plants and vegetables. Pearl was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Rena Farm, Elizabeth Williams and Henrietta Farm; and brother, Theodore Farm. Pearl leaves to cherish her memories; sons, Virgil (Bonnie) McWhite and Lee “Pete” Francis; daughter, Yvette “Dee” (Kenneth) Jones; grandchildren, Danielle, Malik,, Malcom and Briana Francis, Virshawna, Tierra, Virgil “Manny” McWhite, Jameel Devlin, India Griffin, Shaquita, Amber and Devin Jones; fourteen great-grandchildren; brothers, Ernest (Elaine) Farm, Jr., William Paul “WP” Francis and Henry Francis, Jr.; sisters, Carrie Royal, Helen Farm, Cynthia “Ann” (Vincent) Shaw and Patricia Francis; and a host of nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. the Potter's House, 5732 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32244 and a visitation will be held on Friday, April 1, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Florida 32073, (904) 264-1233.