Pearl Torrence

Sister PEARL TORRENCE was born in Plumerville, Ark., on July 15, 1914, to the late Dennis and Henrietta Williams. She is also preceded in death by her siblings: four brothers, John, Jessie, Sammie and A.Z.; and four sisters, Naomi, Susie May, Nanny Lee (Nellie) and Emma; one nephew, Waymon; two nieces, Jessie and Doris. She departed this life on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, at the All American Hospice Care Center in Little Rock, Ark. She accepted Christ at an early age and united with the Spring Valley Baptist Church in Morrilton, Ark. She received her early education from the Conway County Training School in Menifee, Ark. She worked as a housekeeper for numerous families in Little Rock, Ark. She joined Arch Street Baptist Church in 1937 under the pastorate of Rev. T. M. Chamber Sr. and became a member of the Usher Board in 1939. Sister Torrence served as President of the Arch Street (later renamed Greater Archview) Usher Board for 49 years, 1951-2000. She was also active in the City-wide Usher's Union, State Federation of Usher Union and Southern Regional Ushers Conference. She was the first usher from Arkansas to be elected to an office in the Southern Region Conference. Pearl Williams married Johnny C. Torrence, and to this union no children were born. However, she raised a step-daughter, Etta Faye Torrence Coley who preceded her in death; and three grandchildren, Warrick Coley, the late Carsenia Spencer and Carrie Coley all of Little Rock, Ark. She leaves to cherish her memories, grandchildren, Warrick Coley and Carrie Coley; grandson-in-law, Gary Spencer all of Little Rock; four great-grandchildren, Nicki Spencer, Micah Coley, Adrea Coley and Michelle Coley, all of Little Rock; and two great-great-grandchildren, Michael Coley and Marishia Coley, both of Little Rock; a niece, Joyce Corner of Louisiana; and nephews, Charles Williams of Fort Smith, Ark., and Robert Williams of Oklahoma; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends who will miss her dearly. Family hour: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at Robinson Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service, 11 a.m. Wednesday at Greater Archview Baptist Church, Little Rock. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Little Rock (501) 371-0111. "Service You Can Trust."