Pearline Ruby

Lounds

Pearline Ruby Lounds was born in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica, West Indies on Feb 28, 1937, to Estella Barrett (Graham) and Hubert Barrett. She was the fourth of nine children and is survived by her two younger sisters: Norma and Millicent Barrett.

Pearline, otherwise known as Pearl to her siblings, Mama to her children, Grandma Ruby to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and Ms. Ruby or Ruby to neighbors and friends, attended Linstead Primary School in St. Catherine, Jamaica. In June of 1962, she migrated to the United Kingdom to seek a better life for her family. While in the U.K., she worked as a nurse's aide, and after several years, returned to Jamaica to care for her children. In 1969, Pearline decided to migrate once more, this time to the United States.

Pearline worked as a housekeeper at the Parklane Hotel in New York. While working at Parklane, she secured two additional jobs, one of which was cleaning the homes of a few affluent families on Park Avenue in NYC. In the 70's, she began to send for her children in Jamaica (the 2 eldest and the 5 who followed, along with her grandson Mark) so that they could be afforded a better life in the United States. Prior to her children's arrival in New York, She purchased a home in Brooklyn, since renting with children was tabooed — she had become very familiar with redlining within the real estate industry during that time.

After raising her children and providing for them, Pearline decided that pursuing an education was her next major goal.  She believed she could, and she did. Pearline first earned a GED in June of 1988. Following this accomplishment, she quickly enrolled at New York City Technical College and earned an associate's degree on October 7, 1991. In 1994, she decided to attend the Center of Biblical Leadership and become certified as a biblical leader following the completion of the program and staying true to her faith and belief in God, and the teachings of the bible.  After this, her pursuits led to her completion of an undergraduate program in social work from York College, City University of New York, where she earned her degree in 1995. This afforded her the opportunity to work for the city of New York as a case manager.  She was actively pursuing a master's degree in Psychology before she became ill.

Pearline enjoyed reading and writing and even self-published a book of poems.  She also enjoyed going on cruises and would often frequent flea markets with her friends.  She enjoyed dressing in traditional African clothing and learning about the traditions that connect us to our ancestors while reflecting on how these traditions have made us who we are today.  She could often be found doing the things she loved most, helping others.

Pearline leaves behind her surviving children: Winnifred Wilson, Uvolin Graham (Peter), Ainsley Lounds (Audrey), Horace Lounds, and Valrose Lounds.

She was preceded in death by daughter Vivia Lounds Williams and son Oral Lounds.

She was also preceded in death by her parents Estella and Hubert Barrett, her siblings Roslyn Matthews, Thaddeaus Brown, Solomon Barrett, Kenneth Barrett, Beryl Barrett, and Wesley Barrett (Uncle Rockey).

Pearline also leaves behind grandchildren Mark, Madyson (formerly Nadieene), Sonya, Lloyd Pearson, Lloyd Graham, Selena, Anika, Kareem, Michael, Michelle, Kevin, Elrick, Nyafa, Oral Jr., Keora, Marcus, Jacob and Jaylin, a host of great-grand, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family. We would be remiss if we didn't mention her two great-grands who were affectionately promoted to grandchildren, Brie and Quaran, whom she loved and cared for during a pivotal time in their lives.

May God grant her eternal peace.

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