Obituary of Pearl Mae Rhoden

Pearl Mae Rhoden, formerly of Long Beach, New York; was born on February 1, 1938 to the late Laura Bell (Nanny) and James McNeil in Fairfield, Alabama. Pearl subsequently relocated to Elmont, New York to reunite with her mother who had moved there earlier for work. In her early twenties she moved to Uniondale, New York. She had five children whom she raised as best she could as a single parent, and with the help of her mother and step-father the late Charles Bell (Gramps). Pearl was employed at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, New York where she worked as a patient transportation assistant for most of her over 25 years of employment there. She remains one of the hospital's most loyal and tenured former employees. In 1976 Pearl moved her family from Uniondale to Long Beach, New York where she lived for the next 38 years. During that time period, she became a beloved and respected member of the Long Beach community. Well known by all her neighbors, she could be found attending events at the local Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, visiting with neighbors, celebrating holidays by barbecuing on the family's porch, or keeping a stern eye on neighborhood children to help keep them out of trouble. As an avid cook, she was best known for her delicious Sunday soul food meals, and Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday dinners. She was proud of all her children. Later in life she became a member of the Evangel Revival Community Church where she was baptized and attended for several years. In 2012 she moved to the Atlanta metropolitan area and lived with her daughter Lisa Rhoden who cared for her as her health began to decline. Her children will forever remember her for the family trips to Hempstead Lake State Park for Memorial Day picnics, Grumman's company picnics with Nanny and Gramps, Rockaway Play Land outings with neighbors, and her steadfast pledge to "keep clothes on their backs, a roof over their heads and food in their mouths." Some of her greatest lessons to her children were to be gainfully employed, pay your bills, and maintain good credit. On December 8, 2015 at 4:25 pm, Pearl entered her eternal rest at the A. G. Rhodes Home in Marietta, Georgia. She lived a full life and transitioned in a peaceful manner. Her daughter Lisa and friends from the A. G. Rhodes Home were by her side as she transitioned to her final resting place; and son's Peter and Gregory were with her by telephone during her final hours. Pearl leaves to cherish her memory, five children: Peter Sullins of Freeport, NY, Charles Rhoden of Long Beach, New York, Lisa Rhoden of Dallas, Georgia, Gregory Rhoden of Stafford, Virginia, and Natalia Rhoden of Hempstead, New York; eight grandchildren: Rayvon Sullins of Ohio, Rasheem Sullins of Hempstead, New York, Peter Sullins Jr. of Rockville Center, New York, Charles Sullins of Hempstead, New York, Kyle Bailey of East Orange, New Jersey, Shawn Sullins of Elmont, New York, Jorden Sullins of Hempstead, New York, and Gregory Rhoden, Jr. of Stafford, Virginia; 10 great grandchildren and a host of beloved friends from her neighborhood in Long Beach, New York. Gone but never forgotten. Rest In Peace MOM.