Pearl ROOT

ROOT, Pearl - age 107, died Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at Fenton Health Care. Funeral service will be held 11 AM Friday, October 18, 2013 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 W. Silver Lake Rd., Fenton with Pastor Tom Hoose officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Grand Blanc. Visitation will be held 4-7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice. Pearl was born Lela Pearl Kitchens in the Memphis, TN area on September 24, 1906, the daughter of Dahl and Tennie Kitchens. At age four, Pearl and he older brother Dee were placed in the Baptist Orphanage in Monticello, AR. Both children were subsequently adopted by the Taylor family, in nearby Selma, AR. Pearl graduated from Selma High School and attended Arkansas A&M College (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello). She taught school in Drew County, AR for several years before moving to Memphis, TN to work in a dress factory. There she met her future husband, Luster Root, and they were married December 20, 1930 in Camden, AR. The Roots, with their young son, moved to Michigan in 1944, then to Flint in January of 1945. Pearl was a life-long member of Oak Park Methodist Church in Flint. Luster and Pearl divorced in 1953 and she never remarried. Her later life became a travelogue, driving in all of the 48 contiguous states and several Canadian providences. She enjoyed many friendships and was active in her church and senior centers social activities. She was a 20- year resident of Burton Place before entering Fenton Health Care in March of 2005. Surviving is her only child, son Luster "Les" and wife Maxine of Fenton; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, Dee Kitchens in 1972 and former husband, Luster Root in 1990. Special thanks to Gentiva Hospice and Fenton Health Care for all of their loving care and support. Also, a special thank you to the staff and management of the Bob Evans Restaurant in Fenton for their kind and generous support of Pearl, including a special 100th birthday celebration. Friends may share an online tribute on the obituary page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

Visitation

Thursday, October 17, 2013 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Fenton Chapel
1000 Silver Lake Road Fenton 48430, United States