THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 29, 1996 TAG: 9604290008
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Pearl Coleman Barge, of the 5500 block of Berry Hill Road, died Friday, April 26, 1996, at Sentara Leigh Hospital.
She was a Norfolk native and was the daughter of the late Mark and Frances C. Percy. Educated in the Norfolk Public Schools, she was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and attended Norfolk State University (formerly Norfolk State College).
For 20 years, she and her husband, Judge, were the owners of Pearl's Record Bar on Church Street in Norfolk. With one of the region's largest selections of music, they supplied local churches, musicians, disc jockeys, restaurants and private listeners with religious and popular sheet music and records. Located in the hub of downtown, they played hosts to numerous musical giants throughout the late 1940s, '50s and '60s. Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Duke Ellington are just a few of the talents who were showcased in the store, many of them for promotional tours. Later, she became one of the area's top-producing sales representatives for Avon Cosmetics and went on to become the regional sales manager for the company before retiring.
Mrs. Barge was predeceased by one son, Clifford Barge. Her survivors include her beloved husband of 45 years, Judge Barge; one son, Alexander Barge of Norfolk; two daughters, LaVerne Barge-Mayfield of Atlanta, Ga., and Patrice Barge-Munden of Williamsburg, Va.; one brother, Lorenzo Percy Sr. of Norfolk; two granddaughters, Brandy Mayfield and Jade Munden; two sons-in-law, Ellsworth Mayfield Jr. and Darryl Munden; two nephews, Lorenzo Percy Jr. and William Percy; and a host of other relatives, friends and loved ones.
A funeral will be conducted at noon Wednesday, May 1, 1996, in the chapel at Hale Funeral Home. The Rev. Henry Blount will officiate. Burial will immediately follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk. The family will receive visitors at her residence. ILLUSTRATION: Personal Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY
by CNB