Willie Pearl “Ms. Pearl” Crawford Stinson, 92, of Chattanooga, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2022, at her residence.
She was born in Eutaw, Alabama on April 25, 1930 to the late Andrew Crawford and Iona Wilson Crawford. Ms. Pearl was educated in her early years in the Alabama School System. Upon moving to Chattanooga, she graduated from Howard High School Class of 1946 and attended Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She made the Ridgeway Apartments her home since May 1969, being the last of the original tenants. She spent many years baking cakes for whoever wanted a pound cake and always cooked whenever she felt the need. She worked with the Holley, Brown and Tugman families for many years.
Ms. Pearl was a member of Antioch P. B. Church for over 70 plus years. She united with the church at the former location on Ross Street. Ms. Pearl served as a Sunday School teacher, Willing Workers Club, Club #5, Usher Board, Kitchen Ministry, and various other positions in the church. Ms. Pearl spent many years working with the late Sarah Woods and then later her lifelong friend, Jean Sailes.
Ms. Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Iona Crawford; husband, James Stinson; sisters, Candies Crawford, Ruthie Lewis; brother, Chad Crawford; daughter, Katie Dumas; and other relatives.
Survivors include her children, Wanda Cochran, Cheryl (Bennie) Graham, James Stinson, of Omaha, Ne., and Willie (Winda) Stinson; grandchildren, Major Menyika (Harold) McGhee-Johnson, of Columbia, SC, Mecole (Eric) King, Shametrice Douglas, Lachaundra (Tony) Brown, Tiquisia McClure, Martel ( Ashley) Graham, of Houston, Tx., Derrick Stinson and Pamela Stinson, of Phoenix, Az., Zacherie Stinson, of Omaha, Ne., Althea (Anthony) Flemister, Michael Stinson, LaChauundra Stinson, of Nashville, Derek Stinson, Jaylen Stinson, Thelma and Michelle Dumas, of Barnesville, Ga.; great-grandchildren, William “Drea” McGhee, of Richmond, Va., Maraisha “Aisha” Chestnutt, Savannah King, Kennedy King, Elijah King, Mattias McGhee, of Columbia, SC, Jordan Douglas, Ryan McClure, Cristian McClure, Caleb McClure, Tyree Brown, Troy Brown, Tory Brown, Trey Brown, Ethan Graham, Andi Graham, Ashley Jordan, Daniel Jordan, and Gabbrielle Jordan, Gavin Stinson, Justin Stinson, of Phoenix, Az., Jaiden Stinson, of Nashville, Anthony Flemister, Alex Flemister, JaWanna Dumas and Jamerson Dumas; great-great-grandchildren, Aubrey McGhee, Caleb McGhee, of Richmond, Va. and McKynlei Herman; sister, Andrea Williams; brother-in-law, Clonie Lewis, of Cleveland, Oh.; adopted son and daughters, David Tugman, Kathy Tugman Melanie Carter, Daysia; and special nieces, T. Shae, Tiffaney, Karen, Adrienne, Kiesha; nephews, Deonyus and Sanchez; extended family members, Jean Sailes, The Brown Family, The McIntyre Family, and The Simpson Family; special friends, Carolyn Dandy, Jewel Hinton, Lanie Ponder, Barbara Matthews, Pam Kennedy, Margie Barnes, Wesley Henderson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Ms. Pearl will lie in state on Friday, Aug. 12, from 12:30-5 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday, Aug. 13 at noon at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Dwight Clark as the eulogist. Burial is on Monday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. in Forest Hills Cemetery.