Willie Pearl Boyd, 92, of Hattiesburg, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2020, at the Asbury Hospice House of Hattiesburg. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at the McDowell-Nance Convention Center with interment in South Hill Cemetery to follow.
Willie Pearl Boyd was born to Nannie M. Johnson and Malcolm Johnson on March 15, 1928 in Palmers Crossing, MS. She began her education at the Depriest Elementary School in Hattiesburg. At the age of eleven she moved to Detroit MI where she continued her education and graduated from Northern High School and then graduated from Lewis Business College. She became employed by the Federal Government, first with the I.R.S. and then by the Social Security Administration. She worked for the Department of Parking Enforcement as a Meter maid for the City of Detroit. After her retirement, she went back to school where she earned another Associates Degree from Wayne Community College. She moved back to Hattiesburg in 1991 where she attended William Carey University and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theology at the University of Southern Mississippi.
She was always a civil rights advocate. She was the first President of Concerned Citizens of Palmers Crossing. She ran for the Hattiesburg City Council in 1998. She was a prolific writer and author, especially regarding religious matters. She wrote a book in 2017 titled “The Awakenings, Blessings and Miracles”. Her three passions in life where her grandchildren; her religion; and long walks with her sister, Mattie.
Willie Pearl is survived by her son, Donrenodo Boyd of Hattiesburg; a daughter, Cynthia Franklin of Detroit, MI; great-grandsons, Jerome and Dorien Franklin; great-granddaughter, Diamond Pearl Franklin; three special nieces, Gwendolyn Robinson, Brenda Merritt, and Drusilla McNair; and a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and a special prayer partner, Cynthia Posey.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Malcolm and Nannie Johnson; a sister, Mattie L. Merritt; a brother, Malcolm Johnson, Jr; a granddaughter, Lechandria Franklin, grandson, Shaka Franklin.
Visitation for Willie Pearl will be 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at the McDowell-Nance Convention Center.
