Willa Pearl Moothery

Willa Pearl (Williams) Moothery was born April 27, 1935 to Eugene Jack Williams and Odessa Lorine Williams in Whitehouse, TN.  

Pearl, as she was known by most of her family and friends, was raised in Springfield, TN, along with her sister Mary.  Her family later moved to Terre Haute, IN where she lived most of her life. 

Pearl married and had five children, one son and four daughters. She was a very loving and caring woman who many were drawn to because of the love and affection she would show to so many. She was also one that would give to those less fortunate although she was a single mother raising four beautiful daughters alone.   

Pearl was baptized and gave her life to Christ as a young woman. She had a very strong faith that she instilled in her children at a very early age. 

Pearl was a very strong and independent woman and she raised her children to be so as well. All that knew her in her younger days, also knew she had a green thumb and loved to plant her vegetable garden, fish, cook and bake. She was known for her delicious cakes and one-of-a-kind homemade yeast rolls. She loved watching television and movies and keeping up with pop culture. She was known for wearing her signature scent of White Diamonds which she received from her family every birthday, Mother’s Day, and Christmas. 

Pearl moved to Indianapolis, IN in her senior years. Her daughters there were so excited to have a chance to care for her as her youngest daughter in Terre Haute had done for so many years.  She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There was a glow about her as she spoke about them and of how her daughters spoiled and cared for her every need. 

Pearl was loved and cared for deeply. In her last days, it was a blessing to be with our mother to share and to care and to see she received the best medical attention.  She would hold our hands, blink her eyes and smile when she could. 

Pearl departed this life on Sunday morning, July 30, 2023, at the age of eighty-eight years, three months and three days.

The memory of our mom, leaves us with a freshness in our hearts and in our minds and all that she instilled in us as a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.

Pearl was preceded in death by her son, Larry D. Williams, her mother and father, her sister Mary Friend, and her niece Patricia Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memory daughters, Vicky Burns, Cynthia Hervey (Steve), Susan Moothery, and Sherry Mikolajczyk. 

She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren; Lesley, Tania, Monet (Terry), Brittney (Keith), Willis, Sydney, Elana, Elexa, Kristina, Kylee, Antwan, Delta, Delanney, Larry Jr.  and her sister, Rosey.  Her lovely nieces mourn her passing; Bonnie (Luther), Linda (James), Shirley (Darnell), and Denise. Pearl has a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, family, and friends that will miss her dearly.