Pearlie Mae (Bean) Hooper

Pearlie Mae Hooper, age 80 of 300 N. Gulf St, Sanford, NC passed on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at her residence. 

PEARLIE MAE BEAN HOOPER was born November 17, 1937 to late Freddie and Mamie Weaver Bean in Edgefield, SC. She triumphantly entered the glories of Heaven on Thursday, August 2, 2018. She was baptized at an early age at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Edgefield, SC. After completing high school, she moved to Washington, DC at the age of 18.

PEARLIE matriculated through American University, Washington D.C. and obtained an Associates degree in Business Administration. She became a licensed insurance agent with Universal Life Insurance Company, Washington D.C. and with North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, Durham NC. In the early 1980s, she officially made her home in Sanford, NC. She continued her education by obtaining an Associate degree in Radio Broadcasting from then-Central Carolina Technical College in 1989.

PEARLIE became the station manager for WXKL-AM 1290 Radio and served in this capacity for approximately seven years. She was the successful owner and operator of Beans Klean Team until her “official” retirement in 2010. Throughout her professional career, she received numerous awards, certificates and accolades for her extraordinary work ethic and passion.

PEARLIE’s heart was genuine, generous, and compassionate. She served her community as a Domestic Violence Abuse Counselor. In the early 1990s, she became a dedicated foster parent in Lee County, NC to four children. On May 24, 2004, with the assistance of Pastor Loretta Tolson, she opened the Community Outreach Food Pantry, Sanford.

PEARLIE’s soul was built on a firm foundation. Her church affiliations included serving as the church secretary and a choir member at New Canaan Baptist Church, Washington, DC; a trustee and church secretary at Zion Hill United Church of Christ, Sanford NC; and served as the church mother at Gospel Lighthouse Church, Sanford NC. Later in life, she united with Cameron Grove AME Zion Church, Broadway NC. As a disciple of Cameron Grove Church, she served as the Past-Chairperson of the Stewardess Board and Pastor’s Anniversary Committee; a Life Member of the Woman’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society; member of the Connectional Lay Council; a Church School Scholar and served as a Class Leader.

PEARLIE’s most noted ministry was traveling and singing with the Womack Singers of Sanford.

PEARLIE was preceded in death by her parents, Freddie and Mamie Bean; her husband, Fred Hooper; her son, Darryl Simpkins; her brothers, Howard Bean and “J. C.” Bean; and her sister, Mamie Bean Simpkins.

The extraordinary life and the rich legacy of PEARLIE will be forever etched in the hearts of her children: Roderick Simpkins (Gayle) of Fayetteville NC, Quennet Hollingsworth (Bernard) of Sanford NC, Samuel Johnson of Sanford NC and  Barbara Ruffin (Shepperd) of Baltimore MD; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; her brother, Freddie Bean Sr. (Ruby) of Jamaica NY; her aunt, Robbie Wilder of Bronx NY; a special cousin, Dorothy White of Baltimore MD; her brother-in-law, Reverend Jesse Simpkins (Maddie) of Rockingham NC; a childhood friend, Mary Deese of Maryland; a special friend, Onita Howard of Atlanta, GA;  and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Arrangements By: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford