Pearlie Mae Napoleon

May 29, 1934 - August 23, 2020

Pearlie Mae Napoleon, 86 of New Haven, Connecticut , entered into eternal rest pon August. 23, 2020. Pearlie ”Tootie” was born May 29, 1934, in Hemingway, S.C, to the late John and Ethel Pressley. Pearlie attended both Brown Elementary and High School, where she excelled as a student and entered Benedict College for Women a year ahead of her anticipated high school graduation date. While attending Benedict, during her breaks from school she worked at Kingstree Hospital, she met and later married Harris Napoleon in their hometown in 1955. Her union with Harris bored eight children: Reginald, Pearlestine (Willie Boyd), Deborah (John Belcher), Casandra, Waldo, Johnathan, Roxanna and Herman Napoleon Plus Tampa Napoleon. Pearlie, Harris and Reginald made their way to Connecticut. Pearlie was committed and determined to continue her education. While raising eight children this phenomenal woman. Earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts and a Master’s from the University of Bridgeport. Pearlie was a mother, teacher, provider to the community. She was the founder of Umoja Outreach program. She treated every child as her own. She would give the clothes off her back and would not allow any child not to feel the love and be without anything. She retired as an Educator from the New Haven Public School system and continued to be an active member of her community. She often proudly reflected on the many students who visited her at her home for over 25 years after passing through her classroom doors. Pearlie was a faithful parishioner of Mount Hope Temple Church for over 50 plus years. She served on the usher board and later became a Deacon, she always left a lasting impression on everyone. Pearlie is preceded in death by her daughter, Roxanne (“Baby Girl”) Napoleon; her grandson, Tyshan Napoleon; her sisters, Louise Cooper, Annie Cunningham, Florence Cooper, Etherlena Cunningham, and Carrie McCown; brothers, Ben, James B., Willie Smith, John Jr., Leroy, Rudolph, and Herman (“Sonny”) Pressley. Pearlie leaves to carry on her legacy seven children, two son-in-laws, her sister, Rachel Hairston, sister-in-law, Lucille Pressley, best friend Willa Carrington, 7 children, 18 grandchildren, 37 greatgrandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones.