Pearl Ann Gregory

Pearl Ann Gregory died January 21, 2018 at the age of 93.

Pearl was born July 22, 1924 in Clinton, Arkansas the daughter of John L French and Marinda Cook Watts. Growing up in Arkansas, Pearl ventured to Indianapolis at the age of 18. A talented seamstress, she worked at the Real Silk Factory during WWII sewing parachutes for the war effort at home. She met Larson “Jake” Lee Gregory in Indianapolis and they married in 1949. She was the mother of two children, Conrad and Cheryl, but everyone who came in her house became one of her children.

Pearl’s love of life was expressed in her beautiful sewing handiwork, which included quilts and the clothes she crafted for her family. Her zest for life and home came through in all she created, from her especially tasty fried chicken and fixings to her homemade biscuits she learned how to prepare from her mother. In the summer, she always had fresh tomatoes and fried okra from her garden. She taught her children how to plant and harvest, and delighted in planting petunias around the garden to deter garden “pests”.

Pearl was often seen dancing around the kitchen to the radio as she did her chores to the tunes of Duke Ellington, Patsy Cline, Nat King Cole, and many others. She loved going to restaurants for dinner and she enjoyed movies… To Kill a Mockingbird, Funny Girl, anything with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, Grease, and movies that had musical soundtracks. She just enjoyed… going. She sang. She laughed. She cried. And she taught her children it was all part of living a full life.

The daughter in a long line of strong women, she always had a witty wisecrack, a cheeky observation, and a thoughtful answer to a child’s incessant questions. She was a role model for the women’s movement long before there ever was one. She was a role model for all who met her.

These are just some of the legacies she leaves behind.

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl A. Gregory and niece Susie Sadler (Lloyd). She was preceded in death by her husband Jake; son Conrad W Gregory; and beloved dog Joe Cocker.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 3 from 12 to 2 PM at Flanner Buchanan – Zionsville, 105 West Pine St, Zionsville. Funeral services will begin at 2 PM. Burial will follow at Zionsville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in honor of Pearl may be made to the charity of your choice.