Mother Pearlie Lee McAfee

“She opened her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looked well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed: her husband also, and he praised her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31: 26-31.

On the morning of Tuesday, December 1, 2025, First Lady Emeritus, Mother Pearlie Cole McAfee was called home to be with her Lord. She slipped quietly away from her earthly home to her home of immortality. She was in her room with her oldest daughter Zena (Alzeni) when she made her transition. She exited her home, a place that she loved and took great pains to make it a place of comfort, but more importantly, a place of safety and a welcome haven for anyone in need. The God she loved and trusted so much gave her 98 years and, on that morning, seeing how she was too tired to go on, he whispered into her ears, “Its time my daughter, come home”. She left believing what she always would say, “If it’s the Lords will.” It was his will and without fanfare, she went home to her new home and a new room.

On January 11, 1950, she married the love of her life, the late Pastor, Reverend Milton P. McAfee, She was his “little chickadee”!  To this union there were six girls and three boys, they raised four of their grandchildren as their own.  Pearlie served as First Lady of the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.  She worked on the church cleanups wearing her infamous coveralls and hat, worked in the kitchen, served meals, and fried chicken every Tuesday and Thursday to feed the homeless, and anyone in need of a hot meal. At 74 she won a relay race in the park. She could fix a pig pen, help put a roof on the house, work in the fields, and still meet her church obligations. She was an active member of the Angelic Chorus, and the Mass Choir. She served on the Mission and Mothers Boards, BTU, and BYPU Drill Sargent, as well as part of the Sunday School. First Lady Pearlie served New Bethel well for 44 years. Her service to the Lord and to New Bethel is now finished, and her circle of life is now completed.  Pearlie was an outdoors woman at heart. To her family she was quick with a sharp but loving tongue. She was faithful and taught her children to be independent. She would often say she put her kids in the Lord’s hands because she did not know how to raise them. Her actions preceded her work. She practiced what she preached…..trusting in God will pay off in the end.

In 1950, Pearlie came with her family to Eau Claire, Michigan where she remained for the past 75 years. She was employed for six years at Berrien General Hospital, in the laundry department. When the laundry closed, she, at her husband’s insistence, did not work any other full-time job. Pearlie was quiet and unassuming. Her love of God and being married to “Jack” for 64 years made her proud. She took pride in saying she was a McAfee longer than she was a Cole. Pearlie was the oldest living McAfee. She was in failing health, suffered memory losses but she never forgot her Savior. Pearlie also served as a caregiver in her lifetime.

Pearlie was born in De Kalb Mississippi to the late Wille and Maud Cole. She graduated high school at a time when that was almost impossible for African Americans, especially girls. She confessed her hope and belief in Christ at an early age and grew up in the Methodist Church in Mississippi. When she married, she converted to Baptist with her Milton P. McAfee.   

Pearlie is survived by five daughters: Alzeni Crumble, Jackie (Clarence) Hart, Marie Oberholtzer, Vera Holmes, all of Benton Harbor, MI., and Jannie Kiser of Eau Claire, MI;  Daughter/Granddaughter who was raised in their home, Tara (Warren Sanders), also of Benton Harbor, MI; and adopted daughter and caregiver, Rose Ewell also of Benton Harbor, MI;  Five sons: Steve McAfee, Eau Claire, MI, Don (Denise) McAfee, Pastor Maurice (Garcia) McAfee, Scott Coburn all of Benton Harbor, MI, and Dennis (Caitlin) Davis, Stevensville, MI; Two brothers in-law, Rev. Fletcher (Thomasine) McAfee, Benton Harbor, MI, and Rev. W.L. (Jennie) McAfee of Shreveport, LA;  Sisters-in-law:  Bobbie Wright, Eau Claire, MI, Sue McAfee, Benton Harbor, MI, Fay Hill of Houston, TX, Mildred Adams, of Grand Rapids, MI, Mae Allen, Benton Harbor, MI, Alice McAfee Clay, Los Angeles California,  Charlie McAfee, Niles, MI, and Lula McAfee, Overton, MO. She leaves behind nineteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.

First Lady was preceded in death by her late husband, Pastor M.P. McAfee, her oldest son Lenon (Buck) McAfee and his wife Gwendolyn McAfee; and their son Lennie Broyles, Daughter Doris Cornelius and her husband Kelvin Cornelius; her parents, Willie and Maud Cole;  two sisters:  Ruth and her husband Rev. John L. McAfee, Connie and her husband Robert Freeman, and a brother Johnnie Lee Cole;  Son-in-law Paul (Skipper) Oberholtzer, and grandson Terrance Coburn.    First Lady Pearlie was the last remaining member of her Cole family. 

First Lady Pearlie Cole McAfee was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Henry McAfee, and her mother-in-law, Alberta McAfee Lovelace.   She lost five sisters-in-law: Pauline Hightower, Mattie Greene, Mavis Rodger and Sheila McAfee; Four brothers-in-law: Willie Jim McAfee, and Henry McAfee, Jr.,   Hulon McAfee and Rev. John L. McAfee. The impact of her passing is felt deeply by more than two hundred nieces, nephews, relatives, and countless friends, all of whom will grieve her loss and cherish her memory.

II Timothy 4:5-7 reads, “But watch thou in all things; endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith:” Rest well, Mother. You have earned this well-deserved rest. It is our firm belief that your new home and new room are much more comfortable and rewarding. First Lady was known for these daily affirmations: “I just want to be real”, “If it is the Lord’s will”, and “If you going to worry don’t pray, if you going to pray don’t worry.”

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