Pearletta Henry was a devoted mother who put family first above all. An open-hearted, loving
person with a deep affection for young people, she went home to be with her Heavenly Father
on August 8, 2024.
The third of seven children, Pearletta was born to the late Leatrice and Frank Smellie on January, 29, 1933, in Harkers Hall, St. Catherine, Jamaica. Growing up, she was devoted to her faith in Christ, and ministry and began local missionary work at a young age. Ambitious and
entrepreneurial Pearletta established and owned her grocery shop starting in her teenage
years and later had a successful career as a self-taught seamstress specializing in dress making Bridal Wear and alterations.
She and her late husband, Clifton, wed in 1955, and immigrated to Boston in 1969 with their
seven children, where they found a church home at Community Gospel Chapel in Roxbury, MA.
Pearletta loved to read, especially biographies and history. She enjoyed traveling, taking walks
by the water, watching hockey, and singing.
Pearletta dreamed of establishing a children’s home, and throughout her life, her home in
Dorchester, Massachusetts became just that, as she devoted much of her adult life to being a
caretaker and mother figure to many, and opened her home and heart to young adults who
were away from home.
As a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, parishioner, and friend,
Pearletta was a great listener and counselor, as well as a loving and caring protector.
Pearletta is survived by her brother Balford Smellie, sister Nester (Ruby) Smellie, sons,
Barrington Henry (Judith) and Howard Henry (Paula); daughters, Eileen Mills (Marshal),
Maureen Hickey (Alty), Janice Henry, Althea Henry (Tanya), and Arlene Roberts (Wayne);
grandchildren, Kristina Mills, Erica Mills-Harris, Marcus Mills, Terrell Henry, Ida Henry, Brittany
Love, Camille Trench, Donovan Henry, Shannon Woodson, Michael Woodson, II, Wesley
Woodson, Jonathan Pedican, Jonah Henry, Kingston Bowen-Henry, Jaden Bowen-Henry, Logan
Roberts, and Alana Roberts; great-grandchildren, Ezekiel Pedican, Ellia Pedican, Winnie
Woodson, Beau Woodson, Shiloh Woodson, Owen Trench, Nala Trench, and a host of nieces
and nephews. Pearletta was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.
Visiting hour will be on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 10-11 AM followed by a Funeral Service from 11am–1pm in the 12th Baptist Church, 160 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave., Jamaica Plain.