Pearlie Mae Wilson was born on April 27, 1933.  She was one of six children to the late Mr. Jimmy and Mrs. Lillie Mae Wilson and one of many grandchildren to the late Reverend Willie and Mrs. Winnie Nash Sr.  She was educated in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System until the ninth grade.  As she began growing her family she worked for many years as a nanny and housekeeper.  She later took a position in housekeeping at Charlotte Memorial Hospital where she worked for numerous years until she eventually retired as an x-ray technician.  On June 23, 1984 she married the love of her life, Mr. Tony Tukes.  She was preceded in death by her daughter Mrs. Betty Mae Colvin which led her to raise three granddaughters and one great-granddaughter as her own.

After retiring she dedicated her extra time to Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she attended regularly, served as a missionary, president of the choir and was known for fashionably accessorizing with one-of-a-kind hats.  She enjoyed volunteering with the senior nutrition program and attending gospel music programs.  Those who were fortunate enough to be around “Ma Pearl” during the holiday season, enjoyed her famous dressing.  She was a firm and feisty lady, not afraid to speak her mind.  Any wrong doing in front of her was made right.  She may have been short but her spirit was very tall.

She took ill about three years ago, but refused to let that stop her.  She continued cooking¸ attending church and doing the things she loved.  In April of 2011 she became home-bound and was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 19th at 2:30PM.  It was very important to her that her family remain close and not grow apart and that no one be sad, but instead celebrate for she lived a long life and has gone to a better place.