Pearline Annette Poplar McCoy

****NOTE: A PUBLIC WALK-THROUGH VISITATION WILL BE HELD 4:30-7:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2020 AT THE FUNERAL HOME. ONLY (10) PEOPLE CAN ENTER AT A TIME & MASKS ARE REQUIRED BEFORE ENTERING BUILDING ***A GRAVESIDE SERVICE IS BEING HELD 11:00 A.M. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 AT RIVERSIDE CEMETERY _______________________________________________ Pearline Poplar McCoy passed away peacefully Friday morning July 3, 2020 at Rose Arbor Hospice facility. Pearline was born August 17, 1938 in Okolona, MS to Caleb and Patsy (Smith) Fields, Sr. Pearline's brother Caleb Fields transitioned the entire Field's family over a number of years in the late 1950's to Kalamazoo, MI. Pearline met the love of her life in the late 50's and married the late Arthur Poplar on July 1960. The couple shared 24 wonderful years of marriage prior to Arthur's death in February 1984. To this union were 4 children, Darryl (Rotunda), Anthony and Veronica Poplar of Kalamazoo, MI, Arthur (Gloria) Poplar of Douglasville, GA. Pearline also mothered 3 additional children, Maxine Wells of Rison Arkansas, Ricky and Diane Poplar of Flint, Michigan. Pearline has 7 grandchildren; Maurice (Anna) Swift, DaQuary Blanks, Shianne (Robert) Hankerson, Tyson (Carol Tardy) Poplar, Jamar Poplar, Jawaun Bell, Darryl Poplar Jr., and a host of step-grandchildren; Sheila Rush, Antwaine Bey, Tasha Flowers, Ebony & Ivory Poplar, Aaryn Wilson, and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Pearline confessed her belief in Christ at an early age in Okolona. After her move to Kalamazoo, she became a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she was an active Sunday School teacher and member of the Mt Zion Choir #2. Pearline's union with Arthur transferred their membership to Galilee Baptist Church were she was a member in the Inspirational Choir and Hospitality Ministries. Pearline later became a member of Faith Assembly Christian Fellowship in Battle Creek, MI upon her later remarriage. Pearline lived as a 25 year widow’s lifestyle--boldly stating she would never remarry; however, Pearline reacquainted a friendship with her past Choir Director Eugene Billy McCoy after Eugene recognized her at a mutual friend's memorial service. That friendship evolved into a 10 year marriage to the Bishop Eugene Billy McCoy August 4, 2009 until his untimely death August 9, 2018. This union blended two additional sons and grandchildren to the family, Pastor Christopher (Denise) McCoy of Battle Creek, MI; and the late Steven (Jennifer) McCoy of Lansing MI, 6 grandchildren; Evan, Christopher II, Stefan, Sidney, Taylor, and Sierra McCoy. Pearline held a number of employments over the years including Bronson Hospital, Shakespeare, 20 years at Gibson Guitar Company and later retiring after 20 years from The Upjohn Company in 2000. Pearline was known for her beautiful smile, kind heart, loving personality, and positive disposition, she never met a stranger nor had a negative opinion of anyone. Pearline instilled in her children to "treat others how you want to be treated". Pearline was preceded in death by her husbands, Arthur Poplar and Bishop Eugene Billy McCoy; parents Caleb and Patsy Fields; brothers; Caleb Jr., James and William Fields, and sister Ruby (James) Burnett; in-laws Joe Williams, S.V (Patty), William (“Bum”), Sam Poplar, Bernadine (Richard) Smith of Flint, MI, and James McCoy of Detroit, MI. Pearline leaves to cherish her memories: her sister, Quella (Bishop Tommie) Lockett of Kalamazoo, MI, her children and grandchildren, special sister-in-law Mattie Fields of Kalamazoo, Ruby Mae Fields of Phoenix AZ, and Rosie (Leonard) Rogers of Fort Wayne, IN, Victoria (Lawrence) Brooks, Hattie Mae (Lee) Watson, Henry (Victoria), James (Jackie), Fred (Donna) Poplar of Flint, MI and Ruth (Raymond) Blackwell of Phoenix AZ. Pearline also leaves her best friends of 50 plus years, Mossey Dixison of Kalamazoo, MI, Ms. Ernestine Williams of Los Angeles, CA, and Marilyn Moored of Allegan, niece Wendy Fields who says she is the "special niece", however, Gloria, Melba, Nina, Debra Fields and Robin Robinson may attest.

Pearline Annette Poplar McCoy

August 17, 1938 - July 3, 2020