Pearline E. Francis

Pearline Elizabeth Francis was born on June 25th, 1936. She was the only child of Ridley L. Cummings and Adina Bailey Brown from May Pen, Clarendon, a parish on the island of Jamaica in the West Indies.

Pearline excelled in academics and sports and was the recipient of many honors and scholarships in her youth. She later became a junior teacher after finishing her studies. Pearline also worked as a telephone operator, where a well-mannered and charismatic young man asked to be connected to a call and liked the voice of the telephone operator. That fateful meeting turned into a year long courtship of phone conversations and letter writing. Pearline finally met George in person over a year later. They were together for 53 years and married for 46 years, until George passed away in 2010.

Pearline and George migrated to the US in 1980 and built a family and life together in New York with their 4 children; Shelley, Shauna, Michael and Janice. Pearline worked in several factory and administrative roles and then decided that she wanted to pursue a career in health care at the 45! She reeducated herself and pursued the training, certifications and licenses required to be a nurse’s aide, licensed practical nurse and eventually a registered nurse. Her academic pursuits included an Associates, and two Bachelor’s Degrees, the second, a Bachelors in Nursing – all of which she graduated with honors while working full time. Pearline ended her nursing career 23 years later as the head nurse of the Intensive Care Unit at Nassau County Medical Center, the premier trauma one hospital in the area. Her interest in health care and medicine did not end after retirement, at the ripe age of 70, Pearline successfully completed training and certification to become a Pharmacy Technician. Her children talked her out of getting a part-time job at a local Pharmacy, but she enjoyed being able to share insights with her children and friends about the various medicines they are taking and their contraindications.

Pearline and George retired to Plano, Texas in 2003 where became a member of Grace Church Plano and joined her beloved Douglass Seniors group with whom she traveled the world, learned how do all kinds of arts and crafts and formed enduring friendships for the last 20+ years of her life.

Pearline lived a quiet yet impactful life, she enjoyed making a beautiful home and fabulous meals for her family and friends, and spending time shopping and gardening. She is survived by her children, and her sister Laurel Essie Banton. Pearline will also be missed by her stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.