Pearline Abner Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

The Obituary Born on Friday, July 10, 1936, to Fred and Maggie Frank Johnson, she was the first-born daughter of five girls and three boys. Pearline was born in Williston, South Carolina and attended the Kelly Edwards High School from first through the twelfth grades. She is still a supporter of the Kelly Edwards Alumni there. Being active in High School, her yearbook shows a photograph of her, with a stethoscope around her neck, taking another student’s temperature, because at that time, Pearline wanted to be a nurse. A year after graduating from High School, she married Castell Abner, Sr. He brought her from Williston, South Carolina to Chester, Pennsylvania. She was employed by the cleaners on West Third Street. Her employment was short termed because after nine months she gave birth to their first child. Through this union they were blessed with five children, Gwendolyn, Castell Jr., Michael, Lubertha and Joseph. She became a “Stay Home Mother,” at her husband’s request. Pearline helped her children to graduate from college, and one to complete an apprenticeship. Deaconess Abner began to assist other families with their children by charging them $1.00 a day. Becoming an entrepreneur, she opened up her own Day Care, in her home which allowed parents to leave their children in a healthy and safe environment, so they could go to work. Those that have come through her doors are now in the medical field, education field, counselors, construction workers, engineers, plumbers, electricians, attorneys, accountants, to name a few. She has affected and influenced many children’s lives. She enjoyed every child as much as they loved being in her presence. Pearline enjoyed shopping as was witnessed by those who saw her on Sundays and at Banquets. She loved traveling and visiting various countries, enjoying their cultures and their historical value. She has traveled to four different continents of the world including Russia. However, the proudest moment in all her travels, was when she went to the Middle East, and was baptized in the River Jordan. Deaconess Abner has been a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, Chester, Pennsylvania since moving here in 1955. She has served on the Deaconess Board for sixty years, becoming one of the youngest Deaconess. She also served as Chaplain, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President and President of that Board. Deaconess Abner became a Missionary and was President for twenty years. When she was able, she worked in the kitchen with the other Missionaries. Later she was asked to be on the Mother’s Board. Preceding her in death were her parents, Fred and Maggie Johnson, Castell Abner, Sr., brothers Willie Lee Johnson and Rev. Dr. Lewis Johnson, all of her uncles and aunts, and several cousins. Deaconess Abner leaves to mourn her children Gwendolyn (Daryl, Sr.) of Talleyville, Delaware; Castell Abner, Jr. (Adrienne) Wilmington, DE.; Michael (Estelle) Houston, Texas; Lubertha (Dr. Willie) Des Moise, Iowa; Joseph (Kimberly) Newark, DE., thirteen grand-children; twenty-one great grand-children; one brother, Trustee Monroe Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia; four sisters, Gladys Willis, Bear, DE.; Mary Lowrance, Romulus, Michigan; Lucille Chavous, Aiken, South Carolina; Pastor Lavina J. Smith (Garfield), Wilmington, DE., one sister-in-law, Mary Graham Johnson, Claymont, DE.

Pearline Abner

July 10, 1936 - October 22, 2024