Annie Pearl was born September 23, 1927, to Edwin Grigsby and Leona Monroe Grigsby. She passed peacefully in her sleep on July 27, 2021, in Houston, Texas at the age of 93. She was educated in the Jasper Public School system and attended J.H. Rowe School. Annie Pearl was employed with Jasper Public School system for many years. She was a dedicated and hard worker. She retired August 1993.

Pearl, as she was affectionally known, was a lifelong member of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church and a devoted member of the Usher Board. She was well loved by her church family and always willing to lend a helping hand. She was an exceptional cook and used her cooking talent to help with fundraising events for the church. Pearl was known for her delicious hot tamales and gumbo.

Annie Pearl was married to Hermise Mason Wilkins for 45 years until his passing in 1988. She was also preceded in death by her second husband, Eunice Traylor in 1997, and her son, Maurice Wilkins in 2019. Other loved ones that preceded her in death were her mother, Leona Grigsby Wilkins; father, Edwin Grigsby; two brothers, Tommy L. Grigsby and Eddie L. Grigsby; and one sister, Dora Grigsby Adams.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Leona Glendell Shankle (James), Hermise Milton Wilkins (Ramona), Jose Lopez Wilkins (Pamela) and daughter-in-law Shirley Wilkins; two sisters, Katie Hines, Mary Mack (Vincent); four stepchildren, John W. Traylor (Pamela), Brenda Traylor- Trescott, Janice Traylor, Michael Traylor; sisters-in-law Ruthie Grigsby and Darlene Murray Jackson; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.