Pernella Donkor

Sister Pernella Donkor was 79, and departed this life Thursday February 27, 2020 in Florence County. She was the sister of Ruth Weeks, James Gerald, Lillian Milford, Rosa Pender, Minister McMillian Gerald and Theresa Francis. You may visit the family at 3024 Foxworth Rd. Marion.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Centerville Baptist Church in Centenary on Saturday March 7, 2020 at 11:00 am. She will be laid to rest at the Devotion Gardens Cemetery, Mullins. 

~ Obituary ~

Pernella “Pern” G. Donkor, daughter of the late Reverend Arthur W. Gerald and Gertrude Johnson Gerald was the ninth of fourteen children born on Saturday, April 14, 1940 in Marion, South Carolina. She entered eternal rest on Thursday, Feb. 27 2020 surrounded by her sisters at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center in Florence, SC.                                                                                                                 

Pernella was educated in the public schools of Marion County, and was a 1958 graduate of Terrell’s Bay High School in Centenary, South Carolina. Upon graduation, she furthered her studies at Benedict College in Columbia, SC. Pernella later relocated to New York City where she met and married Charles Donkor on September 15, 1975. To that union, her son Kofi Donkor was born.  They resided in the community of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn N.Y and she also attended Open Door Church of God in Christ. 

Early on in her career, Pernella was employed at Chase Manhattan Bank in NYC., but she found her true calling working as a stenographer with the City of New York’s Mayoral Office. She faithfully served under the administration of Mayor David Dinkins and Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Upon retirement, Pernella Donkor was awarded with a plaque that recognized her excellence with the Department of Business services for 28 years in December of 2000.  `  

Pernella G. Donkor later relocated back to the family homestead in Marion, SC joining other siblings who had moved back. Many who had the pleasure of knowing her would agree that Pernella was very private and sophisticated.  In her spare time, she often watched basketball while always rooting for Kobe Bryant.  She also had a love for gardening and her buddy, her pal, her dog Rex.  Any time you asked her a question, her response was, “I’ll tell you later.” She will be remembered for her unique laugh that stood out, her sense of humor and her immense love for dining at Junior’s Restaurant downtown Brooklyn!  She touched many hearts, was very giving, and cared deeply about one’s livelihood. 

Pernella was preceded in death by seven siblings, Mary G. Ham, Martha G. Shannon, Isaac Gerald, Leon Gerald, Eleanor Ann G. Davis, Arthur Gerald Jr. (aka Ata Shabazz affectionately known as Brother), and Alexenna G. Alexis. 

Pernella’s beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her loving son, Kofi Donkor of Brooklyn, N.Y., six siblings, Ruth G. Weeks (Freddie deceased) of Marion, S.C., James Gerald (Barbara) of Fayetteville, N.C., Lillian G. Milford (Carnell) of Marion, S.C., Rosa G. Pender (Harry deceased) of Marion, S.C., Minister McMillian Gerald (Kathy) of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Theresa G. Francis of Brooklyn, N.Y., as well as a host of devoted cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

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