Obituary: Pearl Worrell Holloman
Pearl Worrell Holloman met Jesus on Saturday September 2, 2023. Her son and daughter were faithfully by her side when she left this world. She has been telling us for months how much she was ready to meet Him and be reunited with all her family that has gone before her. We are all at peace now that she is reunited with her loved ones and gazing upon the graceful face of God.
A graveside service will be conducted Friday, September 8, 2023, at 11am at Westview Cemetery.
Pearl was born into a sharecropping family on March 23, 1923. Her parents were the late Leonidas Honesty Kirby Worrell and Pearl Turner Worrell. She was number 10 of 14 naturally born brothers and sisters. Her family moved around Eastern Wayne County as they were needed by different farmers. They took in other children in the community that needed food to eat and a place to sleep. Two of them were officially adopted, others would stay awhile and then move on. Farm life made her tough and resilient, but she couldn’t wait to get away from it.
On July 1, 1945, she packed her bag and started out to leave the farm. Her parents knew she had a good job secured in the laundry at Caswell Center, and to her it was like a new world. It was on her first day that she met the son of the barber while in the post office. That man was George Kirby Holloman and he and Pearl got married a few years later. They lived in a couple of different houses in Kinston, finally settling down in the little white house on Abbott Street where they raised a boy and a girl, named Ronald and Betty. Kirby worked for the City of Kinston and she was a homemaker when the children were little. They were early members of Northwest Christian Church, and Pearl was the first to be baptized in the original baptismal font on the church property.
As the children grew she worked part time at Rider Florist with her dear friend Jewell. She had many fond memories of her time spent at the florist shop with all the other ladies. Jewell remains a dear friend of our family.
Pearl was an excellent seamstress and was well known for her expert alterations for friends and family. She could create a masterpiece from a simple piece of fabric. She has left her children and grandchildren priceless homemade quilts that are cherished treasures.
Pearl was also a kitchen magician. Her humble upbringing taught her how to stretch food and make delicious southern dishes out of what seemed like a loaf and two fishes. Cooking was her love language. She always felt like people would feel better after they sat around a table and had a bite to eat.
She and Kirby raised their children to love boating and camping. A love that has been faithfully passed to grandchildren and great grandchildren. All of the family has been blessed with many memories of times at a campground, along with countless fish tales.
Pearl embraced the Gospel. Like her family before her she fed the poor, clothed the naked, and fed the hungry. This also applied to animals. She was known for feeding stray cats and taking in those that were most needy. Her love of animals and all those unfortunate was one of her most precious attributes.
Pearl was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She embraced old age with grace. Even though she had poor hearing, poor eyesight, and terrible back pain, she seldom complained about it. Her favorite saying was “and this too shall pass.” She never wanted anyone to dwell on her minuscule complaints.
She was fiercely independent. She wanted to stay at home by herself long after George Kirby passed away in 2008. Her son and daughter made sure that wish was fulfilled as long as possible.
Pearl is faithfully survived by her son, Ronald Kirby Holloman and his wife Elaine, daughter, Betty Pearl Sawyer, granddaughters, Rebecca Liverman (Trey) and Eve Honeycutt (James), grandson, George Lee Sawyer (Samantha), and great grandsons, Wriston Kirby Honeycutt and Quincy Paul Honeycutt.
The family will receive friends at the graveside after a wonderful tribute to her life. Edwards Funeral home of Kinston is taking care of arrangements for our family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution honoring Pearl to her favorite charities:
The Salvation Army
PO Box 1318
Kinston NC 28503
St Labre Indian School
PO Box 216
Ashland, MT 59003
