A Time to be Born

Pearl E Hall (Peggy as she was affectionately known as) was born on Sunday, March 8, 1936, to the late Ferdinand Reeves and the late Edna Atkinson in Elgin Town, Saint Mary, Jamaica. She attended prep school in Elgin Town until the age of 6 then went to live with her mother in Kingston. She accepted the Lord as her savior at an early age of 8 and would eventually lead her mother to the Lord. Observing the way the nurses helped their patients in the hospital, she knew that is what she wanted to do. Little did she know that she would grow up to help and nurture all those around her.

A Time to Learn

She went to Merl Grove High School for 4 years then applied to University College Hospital of the West Indies where she was later accepted as that was the only teaching hospital available at that time in the Caribbean. She began her studies on January 1955 and finished March 1958. She never worked in Jamaica instead opting to apply to midwifery school in Scotland where she was later accepted. Taking a flight to London then train, she arrived in Glasgow, Scotland where she would work for 1 year completing training. After that year ended, she traveled to London and accomplished qualified work hours to become a Queens District Nurse. She would then go on to work in London for 2 ½ years. The only way to travel was by bus, bicycle or moped. Only 1-2 older nurses had cars. She refused to ride a bike, even though she could, but realized it was colder standing at the bus stop so decided to ask for a bike to use. She worked as a District Nurse out of Headquarters in District Nursing in East London. She then applied for a position at the Toronto General Hospital in Canada and was accepted.

A Time to Love

Traveling to Jamaica while on vacation she met this handsome man named Asa Hall that she would call a "ladies' man". He was young, handsome, had a car and came from a church family. But those things didn't matter to her because he wasn't saved. Ignoring the passes, he made at her, she went back to finish her studies. After time passed of writing back and forth, he had news to share with her. He was now saved and wanted to settle down and couldn't see it being with anyone else but her. This was something she had to think about. She was going to Jamaica for vacation in September 1961 and he was beyond excited stating that they could get married. She still said she had to think about it. While visiting her father in New York she told him about the proposal, and he took her shopping for her dress, veil and shoes. Returning to Jamaica, he proposed (in person) the day after she arrived, and she said "Yes!". She was proposed to by another young man as well but had to let him know she was now engaged.

A Time to Build Up

She never returned to Canada. She moved out of the flat and had the trunk with all her belongings sent to her. They were married in the middle of the Jamaican Convention for Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) on April 28, 1962, and he serenaded her as she walked down the aisle. They would later go on to be great leaders in Jamaica. He was the National Youth Leader in COGOP for all parishes in Jamaica and she would be promoted to the first National Music Director after being the local church choir director for many members at Maxfield Ave COGOP. In 1964 there were elected to represent Jamaica at the General Assembly in Cleveland, Tennessee.

They would later move to New Jersey where she worked as an exchange nurse at Newark Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, NJ from 1966-1967. She oversaw the nursing quarters. She would note, whenever she was on duty the nurses were extra nice. In 1970, she was provided with her green card and became pregnant in 1972 after many years of trying. She had a beautiful baby girl named Tracey. She relocated to Miami, FL where she obtained her US Citizenship and worked in med surg then later psychiatry at Deering Hospital. She enjoyed her time as the choir director for COGOP with churches spanning from Miami to Key West.

Her final location was Clermont, FL where she continued to work as a registered nurse at South Lake Hospital until her retirement.  Unable to walk away from the hospital she continued to report weekly as a volunteer mentoring the new nurses. This granted her many recognitions. She was a part of the Kings Ridge Singers, Afro American Club and Caribbean American Association to name a few. Her proudest moment was starting the J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) Senior Group at Southside Christian Fellowship COGOP in Winter Garden, FL.

Pearl was just as her name means – 'a person of great rarity and worth'. She impacted everyone she encountered, in a positive way and commanded each room she entered. Whether it was volunteering as a camp nurse each summer for COGOP, participating in mission trips all over the world or running a local errand, no one walked away after their interaction the same. She effortlessly inspired everyone around her and encouraged them to be their very best at all times.

A Time to Die

She made her graceful transition to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, July 8, 2021, in the arms of her granddaughter Katherine. She fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Now there is in store for her the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to her.

Pearl leaves to cherish her memories: Her Daughter – Tracey (Michael Sr.) Speid; Grandchildren – Katherine Speid, Michael Speid, Jr. and Ashanti Speid; Siblings – Lorenzo Reeves, Hazel Reeves-Tracey, Venice Reeves-Cummings, Donovan Reeves; Uncles – Victor Reeves and Benji Reeves; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. There is no sorrow on earth that heaven can't heal.