Jessie M. Pulley

Jessie Mae Parker Pulley, 82, passed away on July 23, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. Mrs. Jessie Pulley, Sr. was born in Norfolk, Virginia on March 14, 1934. Her siblings included three brothers (Moses, Charles, and George) and three sisters (Pearlene, Polly, and Lucrest) totaling six. Jessie was the youngest of the seven. She was born during the grips of the Great Depression. Before the outbreak of World War II, the family elders decided they would leave Norfolk, Virginia and move to Baltimore City, Maryland to explore gainful employment opportunities at Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point (today Tradepoint Atlantic), Baltimore County. Fate must have been involved, because Mrs. Pulley grew up on 531 Carey Street and her future husband grew up on 531 Carrollton Avenue. Jessie matriculated through the Baltimore City Public Schools System. She loved reading literature as a teen and young adult. She was fascinated by the street car systems of her youth. She loved going to the Royal Theater with her chums to see all of the entertainers. Jessie Mae Parker married Leon Stanley Pulley and had three children, Valerie, Leon Jr. and Gloria. Mrs. Pulley was a loyal unselfish wife and a dedicated mother. Jessie held down the fort at home. How? I cannot list all of the examples, however, I will share a few. Mom ironed Dad’s shirts to keep him sharp. We could not tell the difference between Mom’s ironing or Fish Laundry on Pennsylvania Avenue when Dad could lighten her load. When we think back to dinner time we were blessed. The meals were home cooked, delicious, and different almost every night. Of course we had leftovers, at times, but never more than two nights in a row. How did we learn to read, write, and do mathematics? Mom was our pre-school before any of us knew that word existed. I think what we remember the most is the time that she took with us. She played outside with us during our formative years. I think back to all of the front porch summer evening sitting while Mom would tell us about her life and times as she grew up in West Baltimore. Mom stressed the importance of staying in school and finishing our education, loving family and country. She loved us at our best and at our worst. Jessie always cared for others more than she did for herself. Mrs. Pulley is survived by her children Valerie, Stanley, and Gloria. God called home another angel of His that was on loan to us.

Tributes

Jessie M. Pulley

March 14, 1934 - July 23, 2016