Pearl Beacham Avera (December 7, 1943 – September 10, 2026)

Visitation: Friday, September 25, 2026
Visitation Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Visitation Location: Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church
5200 W. South Street
Orlando, Florida

Service Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church
5200 W. South Street
Orlando, Florida

Obituary:

The life and legacy of Pearl Beacham Avera will forever be cherished by her family, friends, church family, and all those blessed to know her.

Pearl was born on December 7, 1943, in Dothan, Alabama, to the late F. L. Beacham and Lureatha Goodman Beacham. She was the seventh of twelve children. In 1957, the Beacham family relocated to Orlando, Florida, where Pearl continued her education through Orange County Public Schools. She attended Washington Shores Elementary School and proudly graduated from the GREAT Jones High School on June 11, 1964.

During her high school years, Pearl studied cosmetology and home education. She went on to receive her cosmetology license from the State of Florida and worked as a full-time professional stylist until 1970. That same year, she began her career with CNA Insurance Company, where she worked as a file clerk. Pearl enjoyed her years at CNA and retired from the company in 1994.

Retirement did not slow Pearl down. True to her outgoing and people-centered nature, she continued serving others through several occupations. She worked as an Orange County Public Schools bus driver, a greeter at TD Waterhouse and the Amway Center, a Pharmacy Technician with Eckerd Drugs now CVS Pharmacy, and Publix Supermarket, in which she retired from both in 2018. Pearl loved people. She enjoyed meeting them, serving them, and getting to know them. She was often the first to say, “Hello,” “Good morning,” or to pick up the phone simply to check on you. Her kindness and genuine concern for others made her presence unforgettable.

Pearl was affectionately known by many as “Auntie” and “Godmother.” During the late 1960s and early 1970s, many of her family members and close friends were welcoming children into their lives, and Pearl lovingly embraced the roles.

Pearl married Lamar Avera on November 16, 1964. They were married for 24 years. Through this union, on April 28, 1973, God blessed Pearl to welcome her one and only child, Kimberly L. Avera. Kimberly quickly became the apple of her mother’s eye. Pearl loved her daughter deeply and proudly spoiled her “to the core,” so much so that family members would say Kimberly was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

Pearl’s love for God was at the center of her life. After moving to Orlando and living in the Little Egypt community, Pearl was led to join Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida, in 1959, under the leadership of the late Pastor Roscoe Wade. Pearl became a faithful and devoted member of Mt. Sinai, where she found her ministry as an Usher. As a doorkeeper for the Lord, she served with love, dedication, and humility.
Throughout her years at Sinai, Pearl served in numerous ministries and leadership positions, including: Usher Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, Deaconess, Pastor’s Aide, and the Mother’s Ministry.

Pearl remained a faithful steward of Mt. Sinai until December 2022, when her health began to decline. Even then, her love for her church never faded. From time to time, she would make her way back to Sinai, still wearing her beloved usher suit, and sit proudly on the back pew with the ushers. That was Pearl. She never stopped being a servant.

Pearl’s greatest legacy is not only found in the jobs she held, the ministries she served, or the many people she met. Her greatest legacy lives on through the people she loved, encouraged, served, and touched throughout her life.
She was a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, godmother, church mother, friend, and faithful servant of God. She had a welcoming spirit and a heart for people. Her simple acts of kindness, her phone calls to check on others, her warm greetings, and her unwavering commitment to those she loved will remain in the hearts of many.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories her one and only loving and devoted daughter, Kimberly L. Avera; grandchildren, Ariel J. Chandler and Zavier L. Avera, all of Orlando, FL; sisters, Nettie Mosley of Orlando, FL, and Maxine (Cecil) King of Ellendale, DE; brother, J. L. Beechum (Geraldine) of Fayetteville, GA; special little sister, Dr. Virigina P. Hayes; beloved pastor (his oldest friend) and dear sister, Bishop Larry G. and Bernice Mills, all of Orlando, FL; adopted son, O’Hara C. (Misha) Black, Tallahassee, FL godchildren, Spencer (Linnette) Felder of Fredericksburg, VA, Evangela Eady, Erma Robinson, Dwayne (Melanie) Dickens, Tracie (Taurus) Brown and Lantz G. (Britney) Mills, Sr., all of Orlando, FL; closest friends, Ruthie Warren, Wilma Morris, Regina Green and Rev. Bettye Watson, all of Orlando, FL; and a host of loving relatives, friends, church family, and associates.

Though Pearl is no longer with us in body, the love she gave, the lives she touched, and the faith she demonstrated will continue to speak for generations to come. Her work on earth is finished. Her service is complete. Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her. Rest well, Pearl. You have served faithfully.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 5-7 PM at the church. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:00 AM at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 5200 W. South Street, Orlando with Pastor Lantz Mills, officiating and Rev. Dr. Larry G. Mills, eulogist. Interment: Washington Park Cemetery, Orlando.