Celebrating the Life of Willie Pearl Temple

Willie Pearl Temple

Willie Pearl Temple departed this life gently at home in the early morning hours of September 11, 2010. She was 93, born on May 28, 1917, the only child of the late Corine Lewis, by was raided by her grandparents the the late Rance and Lula Magee in Clifton, Louisiana with her adopted brother Bernistine "Bunch" (Nell) McGee.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Robert Temple, Sr. Willie Pearl loved children and to this union they were blessed with a son, Ricky (Sharon) Temple. She brought four children from her previous marriage to the late Carl Bridges,  Katherine Roy (late Water Roy, and the late John Jett, Sr.) of Baton Rouge, La., Barbara Smith (the late Clarence Sr.,) of Amite, LA., Robert Earl Bridges of Baltimore, MD. She welcome Robert's three children from his previous marriage to the late Josephine E. Armstrong. They are Cornelius (Mary) of Galveston, TX, Robert Jr., Amite, LA, and Carolyn (late Arthur) Essex of San Antonio, TX. She then adopted Jackie (Willie) Liggins of Memphis, TN. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Clarence Smith, Jr.

She accepted Christ at an early age at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Clifton, LA., and later joined Butler's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church with her husband Robert. Willie Pearl was a faithful, dedicated member at Butler's until her health failed her. She served as a Deaconess, class leader and on many other clubs and boards. She loved the music of Zion and worked faithfully within the music ministry of the church.

Her second passion was children. She often said that she was so blessed after her adoption of Jackie that she wanted to give other children a good home. She worked with the foster children program for two decades, providing a home for Jamie and Eric Hawthorne, LaErica Jackson, Janice Ross, Marie Jackson, Pandora and James, as well as, others who lived briefly with her.

In earlier years Willie Pearl was employed with Charity Hospital in New Orleans and at the West Side and Amite Elementary Schools. She stayed busy. In later years despite being a senior herself, she work tirelessly at the Council on Aging at her meal site where she served meals and worked in capacity necessary. She also volunteered at God's Storehouse. In 1996 Willie Pearl was elected Queen for the Tangipahoa Council on Aging.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, sixteen grandchildren, numerous of great grandchildren, a large house of nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends. Her Godchildren, Trichelle Brumfield and Dimetria Evans will miss her greatly. 

Source: Funeral Program of Willie Pearl Temple, 

Contributed by: Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, Louisiana