Legacy
Pearly Mae Franklin was born on January 16, 1932 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Juanita Catherine Hayes and Samuel Hayes. She passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Her parents, husband Ernest Walter Franklin, and two brothers Emile and Jimmy preceded her in death.
She was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and received a Bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A & M University in Nursing. She later pursued a Master’s degree from the University of Texas, Houston in Public Health.
She started her nursing career at Jefferson Davis Hospital as a registered nurse in the E.R. She later became a school nurse with Houston Independent School District. After receiving her Master’s degree, she worked as a nurse supervisor for Special Education for HISD. She retired after 30 fulfilling years of service.
Pearly accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age and was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church, then Augustana Lutheran Church, and most recently Greater Rose Hill MBC.
She enjoyed traveling, malling (shopping), and had an extensive doll collection. She was a member of the Houston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She was very active in many community and social events, until health issues slowed her down.
She is survived by her two children Jernea Webster and Gary Franklin (Carolyn); eight grandchildren, Cary Franklin, Ayana Webster, Joshua Franklin, Marcus Franklin, Sumaiyah Webster, Gabriel Franklin, Kareemah Webster and Zackery Franklin; ten great grandchildren, five siblings, Joan Thompson, Anita Cooper, Valgene Holmes, Beverly Mitchell, and Sheila Bellows, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
