In Loving Memory of Pearlstine Smoake

September 20, 1930 – July 27, 2025

Pearlstine Smoake of Riverside, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on July 27 at the age of 94.

Born in Allendale, South Carolina, to the late Roosevelt and Henrietta Smoaks, Pearlstine was a proud son of the South. In the 1950s, he joined the wave of Black families who migrated north in search of greater opportunity. With grit and grace, he built a life marked by hard work, unwavering faith, and profound devotion to his family.

Pearlstine worked in construction for over 40 years, laying foundations, both literal and generational. He was the kind of man who showed up every day, rain or shine, giving his all to a trade that demanded strength, precision, and perseverance. His hands helped shape buildings, but his spirit helped shape lives.

He was a man of few words but a powerful example. He labored tirelessly to support his loved ones and was known for his quiet wisdom, integrity, and strength. He was a dedicated father, a loving grandfather, and a proud great-grandfather whose legacy lives on in every generation that follows him.

He is survived by his children, Geneva Smoaks and Preston Smoaks; his grandchildren, Jamiylah Jones, Iymaani Jones, Ismaiyl Jones, Brandon Smoaks, and Janae Jones; and his great-grandchildren, Brandon Smoaks Jr., Ammar Simpson, Yahya Zagbahu, Fatima Jones, and Ismaiyl Jones Jr. He also leaves behind his sisters, Bazann Rebecca Creech and Clarice Sanders, and a circle of extended family and friends who will remember him with love and gratitude.

Services for Pearlstine will be held privately.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com.

"He built more than structures; he built a legacy of strength, love, and purpose."