On November 25, 1921 Pearlie Mae was born in Jacksonville , Florida . She was the only child of Mamie Lea and Eugene Butts. The family moved to Fitzgerald, Georgia where she received her education through the Ben Hill County Public School System. She was a hard worker and often spoke of working in the fields in Florida during the summer months. She dedicated her life to Jesus Christ at an early age joining Antioch Baptist Church where she donated much of her time serving on numerous committees and doing the work of the Lord. She served faithfully until her health interfered.

Pearlie Mae married Sam Lee Mitchell on December 4, 1939. To this union, 14 children were born and many challenges faced. In prayer, however, Pearlie Mae remained a devoted and loving wife until becoming a widowed mother on March 17, 1973. Her first career was the care, development and nurturing of her children. She also loved and cared for her neighbors and the community. She loved gardening and shared the harvest of the fields with everyone and anyone. Pearlie Mae knew no strangers. Everyone was welcome in her home. Many friends and neighbors enjoyed her southern home-cooked meals. She made irresistible desserts including the many pound and fruit cakes she cooked and gave them to enjoy during the Christmas season. 

Pearlie Mae was a committed and faithful servant to the sick and shut-ins. It was no surprise that she began a second career with the Life Care Center Nursing Home in 1973. She looked forward to taking care of others and making a difference. After 22 years, Pearlie Mae retired from her second career on December 31, 1995. A steadfast follower of Christ, she believed in the power of love and prayer. Thus, in addition to fulfilling her many Christian duties at Antioch Baptist Church, she joined the Fitzgerald Prayer Band in the mid 1970’s. She extended her love, service, prayerfulness, and whatever she could do to provide for many others throughout the community. She continued serving faithfully until failing health made it impossible to continue. Those that knew Pearlie Mae or even heard of her, would declare her, without doubt, a true witness for Jesus Christ! Preceded in death by her parents, six sons and two daughters.

She leaves to cherish her memory six children:

Bernice Brown of Washington, DC; 

Mamie Lee (Marvin) Reid and

Linda Brown of Cincinnati, Ohio;

Angela M. Brown and Judy P. Brown of Warner Robins, Georgia; and

Harold Brown of Fitzgerald, Georgia;

twenty-one (21) grandchildren:

Chad, Chabrina, H. Anthony, Robert, Carlos, Marvin, Stephanie, Samuel, LaTonya, Cassandra, Pamela, Mary, Hope, Patty, DeKelvin, Devonta, JaAisha, Jawoena, Lawoena, Zorion, and Tacari; 

thirty-four (34) greatgrandchildren,and 

a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and

former neighbors who loved her.