Jacquelyn M. Pryor

On Saturday, May 9, 2020, Jacquelyn Cheryl Montgomery Pryor was called home to be with the Lord. She transitioned from this life peacefully by natural causes at the Woodholme Gardens Assisted Living Facility in Pikesville, MD. Jackie was born on October 4th, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan to Marmion Jack and Sammye Ruth Spence Montgomery. After spending her formative years in Detroit, her family relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was there in which she felt the beckoning of Christ on her heart and was baptized by her beloved grandfather, Reverend Samuel R. Spence at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Growing up in Chattanooga, she experienced her young life in the compassionate and loving care of her close knit family. She absolutely cherished the memories of this time in her life often telling stories of the wonderful times she experienced with her siblings, cousins and extended family. Jacquelyn matriculated through Howard High School, where she eventually returned to teach, graduating in the class of 1962. She then graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. In 1964, she married Eustace Vincent Dench, Jr. in Nashville, Tennessee. Through this union they had one daughter, Ivy Monique. They settled in St. Thomas Virgin Islands where she started her career as an educator at Wayne Aspinall Middle School. She moved to Gary, Indiana and completed a Master’s degree in Secondary Education at the University of Indiana. During this time she met her dedicated and loving husband of 45 years, Charles E. Pryor, an executive at the Budd Company. Jackie and Chuck had one son, Charles, Jr.In Gary, she continued as a public school teacher at Emerson High School for many years and was also an active member of St. Timothy’s Baptist Church. Jackie was quite socially active and civic minded, having memberships in various auxiliaries and organizations. In Gary, she pledged the Gary Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, an organization she would devote countless hours of service throughout her life. Jackie and her family relocated to Philadelphia, PA where she had an extensive career in housing and government affairs including a position at the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. She was an excellent administrator moving up in rank, and eventually retiring from said organization. She later served as the Executive Director of the Chester Housing Authority in Chester, PA. Jackie then went on to lead the Advocate Community Development Corporation (ACDC), a community development corporation focused on providing affordable housing and services to low-income families in North Philadelphia, as Executive Director. In Philadelphia, Jackie continued her service to Delta Sigma Theta and eventually served as treasurer of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter. She also held a membership with the local chapter of the Epicureans. Jackie eventually moved to Columbus, Ohio where she fully retired and continued to enjoy the love of family and many friends. She joined the congregation at Macedonia Baptist Church where she served as Chair of the Trustee Board. She became active with the local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and was also the President of the Continentals local chapter. Jackie led a life of constant service. She was loved by all who met her, from former classmates, her sorors, club members, fellow church congregants, the many health aides who helped care for her in her final years, and of course her family and her multitude of friends. Jackie was a woman of grace, fashion and style. She was a great cook and perfect hostess and kept a warm and comfortable home that was full of good food and fun. She enjoyed preparing and decorating for the holidays where family was expected. She was kind, giving and shared with everyone, especially those in need. She was dependable and reliable, that was her southern way. She was an avid reader and was known to read a book in one day. Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Marmion J. Montgomery and Sammye Ruth Montgomery, brothers Sidney and Marmion Montgomery, and step-son Michael E. Pryor. Left to mourn her loss is her husband, Charles E. Pryor, daughter Ivy M. Dench-Carter, and son Charles E. Pryor Jr. She is survived by her step-daughters, Renae Diann Pryor and Roxanna(Johnny) Nolen both of Columbus, OH, aunts Alyce McDowell of Nashville, TN, Josephine Kelley of Chattanooga, TN, sister Sandra Tudos of Chattanooga, TN, and brother Samuel Montgomery(Karen), of Philadelphia, PA, her sister in laws Elsie McCall and Emma Jean Neal of Columbus, OH, and brother in law, Lawrence Pryor of Columbus, OH. Jackie shared her love with two grandsons, Evan and Darrell (“D.J.”) of Philadelphia, PA as well her husband’s seven grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Jackie cherished her family, and adored her friends. Words cannot adequately convey how much she will be missed. We will forever cherish the memories and lessons she taught us from now into eternity.

Tributes

Jacquelyn M. Pryor

October 2, 1944 - May 9, 2020