Lillie Pearl Chatman

“Our Precious Jewel”

Mrs. Lillie Pearl Chatman was born in Louisville, Mississippi to the late Mrs. Verlene Burrage Lagrone and Mr. Walter Henley on January 25, 1957. She is also preceded in death by four brothers: Mr. Henry Burrage, Mr. Augusta Burrage, Mr. Calvin D. Burrage, and Mr. Billy W. Burrage; two sisters: Mrs. Ella D. Whitney and Mrs. Gloria D. Scott; one niece/sister: Ms. Annette S. Gillespie; one grandson: DeAndre M. Chatman Sr.; great grandson: DeAaron M. Chatman.

Pearl confessed her life to Christ at an early age and a true believer in the God Almighty.

Pearl received her education in East St. Louis, Illinois School District 189, later finishing her education at a segregated school, White County Training Center where she soon met and married her first and only love Jesse (Dodie) Chatman to this union two children was born Tina Boo and Neal (Pearl).

Pearl’s past employment was with Central Arkansas General Hospital and White County Hospital where she retired from, but to keep herself busy she took on a part-time job with Dow Cleaning Company up until her health became an issue.

Pearl had the skills of an interior decorator. She could hang drapes, repaint rooms and walls, hang things, decorate rooms, and more. Also, Pearl had a green thumb and could grow anything.

To know her was to love her. Family was her number one priority and she made sure that you were never a stranger to her. If she liked you, you would know it with a smile that was so affectionate that you couldn’t help but to notice her fluffy cheeks which was definitely one of her physical attributes.

On Friday, January 9, 2026, Mrs. Lillie Pearl Chatman, transitioned home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She leaves to cherish her memories her devoted husband of 50 years Mr. Jesse N. Chatman; one daughter: Ms. Katina D. Chatman; one son: Mr. Jesse O’Neal Chatman; two bonus sons: Christopher Jackson and Reginald B. Jackson; one granddaughter: Mrs. Jesalyn A. Straughn (Carter); two grandsons: Bentley O. Chatman and Braylen D. Chatman; three bonus grandchildren: Nikki Cantrell, Christopher Jackson, and Janiyah W. Jackson; two great grandsons: DeAndre M. Chatman Jr. and Kingston J. Straughn; five sisters: Ms. Pearline Fenton of Fairview Heights, IL, Ms. Dorothy J. Burrage (Mark) of Caseyville, IL, Ms. Helen R. Burrage (Keith) of Belleville, IL, Ms. Willie R. Hurd and Ms. Juanita Burrage both of Cahokia, IL; two brothers: Mr. Lavel Burrage and Mr. Jimmy N. Burrage (Javanna) of East St. Louis, IL; two very special cousins: Ms. Vernessa McBride and Mr. Terry McBride; one sister-in-law: Lydia Baccus; two brother-in-laws: James (Geno) Chatman and Marshall Chatman; a special and dedicated aunt: Linda Freeman; a special and dedicated niece: Kimberly Freeman; and a host of family, cousins, relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held at Searcy McEuen Funeral Home on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service celebrating the life of Pearl at 11:00 a.m. www.searcymceuenfuneralhome.com.