Mary P. Hunt

In Loving Memory of Deaconess Mary Pearl Hunt

Pearl was born on Tuesday, January 23, 1940, in Mason, Tennessee, and was the second of five children born to Adolphus Allen and Bertha Mae Mason. She lived a full and fruitful life to the age of 83. On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 3:15 p.m., God said to Pearl “well done thy good and faithful servant, now come unto me and rest”.

Pearl received her formal education in the Tipton County Public School System, and completed academic requirements with honors. She was Salutatorian at Frazier High School in Covington, Tennessee, and graduated on May 22, 1958. She was an active member in the drama and glee clubs as well as a cheerleader for the boys’ basketball team. 

Pearl confessed Christ at an early age and joined Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Mason, Tennessee. 

Pearl and Christopher Columbus Hunt, met while Pearl was walking to the mailbox. Columbus hollered out the apartment window, and asked Pearl, “if he could walk with her”. She said "I don't care". Columbus raced down the steps to meet Pearl on the sidewalk and walked with her to the mailbox. From that point on, they were a couple. Pearl and Christopher Columbus Hunt were married on Saturday, July 29, 1961, by the late Reverend Dr. Odie M. Hoover, where she was already united with the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. To this union two children were born, Christopher Darryl and Deidre Monét. 

During her membership at Olivet, she served faithfully in the Collegiate Circle, and the Missionary Ministry under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. O.M. Hoover. Columbus was ordained as a deacon on November 5, 1980, under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., then Pearl became part of the Deaconess Ministry. She served faithfully in the January Birth Month Ministry, Sunday School and many more ministries under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Jawanza Karriem Colvin, until her health no longer permitted her to do so.

Pearl worked at St. Vincent Charity Hospital as an Administrative Assistant in the Physical Therapy department from 1968 until 1993, and retired. Pearl had a beautiful smile and was soft spoken. She was true to her word and would never share secrets.

Pearl was preceded in death by her father, Adolphus Allen Mason; mother, Bertha Mae Mason; half-brother, Carl Allen Mason and sister Dorothy Jean Robinson.

She leaves to cherish in her memory her husband of 63 years, Christopher Columbus Hunt; son, Christopher Darryl Hunt; daughter, Deidre Monét Walls (Steven, Sr.) and bonus daughter, Maria Antonette (Toni) Gallon (Norman, Sr.); four grandchildren: Dominic Sean Hill, Demmeri Savoy Gallon, Norman David Gallon, Jr and Steven Wallace Walls, Jr (SJ); four great grandchildren: Devin Hill, Zion Hill, Diego Hill and Tiana Hill, brother, William Peter Mason, sister Mabel Elnora Teamer (Nesbie) and brother James Oliver Mason, nephew, Eric Shepherd, niece Michelle Bumbarger (Chris), nephew, Marty Karron Teamer (Camille), niece Ayanna Matthews and goddaughter, Nichelle Maria Murdock. There are many other special nieces, nephews and other close relatives and friends that affectionately called her Aunt Pearl. She will be missed by all.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure"

Humbly Submitted,

The Family

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