[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1331-E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MOTHER PEARLIE MAE STRANGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2021

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life and legacy of Mother Pearlie Mae Strange, a beloved mother, 
grandmother, great grandmother, friend, devout Christian, and prayer 
warrior.
  Mother Strange was born on April 1, 1934 in Miami, Florida to the 
James and Arizona Joseph. Her upbringing was grounded by loving, 
hardworking parents, and a strong foundation in the home which was 
built upon Mathews 19:19, ``Honor thy father and thy mother,'' and the 
old saying, ``A family that prays together stays together.'' As the 
second of eleven siblings she assumed a nurturing and motherly role at 
an early age, and she used that same unselfish love from her parents 
and the strong foundation upon which her values were built to guide her 
in carrying out those roles.
  By Divine Providence, Mother Strange met and later married the love 
of her life, Reverend Dr. Willie Lee Strange, Sr. and on May 2, 1955 
the two were joined in holy matrimony. They were blessed with ten 
children, who blessed them with 27 grandchildren, 17 great 
grandchildren, 3 great-great children and an additional great-great 
grandchild on the way.
  As a loving and encouraging wife, Mother Strange supported her 
husband throughout his pastoral walk and served as First Lady of 
Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, New Mt. Moriah Holy Cross 
Missionary Baptist Church, and Greater Holy Cross Missionary Baptist 
church. She served in other areas of the Ministry including the Pastor 
Aid Board, the Women's Ministry, the Youth Ministry, and Sunday School 
Teacher.
  Mother Strange later joined New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church 
under the leadership of Elder Dr. Kenneth A. Duke, Sr., where she 
served as Church Mother. In 2007, upon the pastoral installation of her 
son, Rev. Dr. Billy

[[Page E1332]]

W.L. Strange, Jr., she transferred her membership to Mt. Calvary 
Missionary Baptist Church where, as an avid prayer warrior, she 
faithfully served in the Prayer Line Ministry and in the capacity of 
President of the Mother's Board until her passing.
  Mother Strange matriculated through the Miami-Dade County Public 
School System. In her later years, after fulfilling the command to 
``train up a child . . .'', she pursued a personal lifelong dream of 
becoming a Beautician. She enrolled in the Cosmetology Program at Miami 
Jackson Technical School and later obtained her Certificate as a 
Licensed Florida Cosmetologist in 1982. God blessed the works of her 
hands as she pursued her passion in the beauty industry by working at 
several salons, including the Theatrical Beauty Salon under the 
tutelage of the late Mrs. Ella Moncur. Mother Strange fulfilled her 
lifelong dream and established her own home-based salon.
  Mother Pearlie Mae Strange was preceded in death by her husband, 
parents, four children, two grandsons, and four brothers. She leaves 
precious memories to be cherished by her sons: Rev. Billy W.L. Strange, 
Jr., Mareiece Strange (Earnestina), Larry Strange and Donald Strange; 
daughters Agnes Strange (Andy), Marva Bates (Michael), and Tonia Dudley 
(Billy); devoted sisters Luella Page, Francis Williams and Genice 
Scott; dedicated brothers Glenroy Joseph, Terry Joseph, Sr. (Diana) and 
Ernest Davis.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues and all Americans to please join 
me in honoring the late Mother Pearlie Mae Strange for her untiring 
love and dedication to her family and her community, and for her strong 
walk in Christian faith as she has dedicated her life to helping 
others.

                          ____________________