Dec Mack Leslie Pernell

Deacon Mack Leslie Pernell was born on Aug. 14, 1932, to the parentage of the late Mr. Allen Eugene “Buster” Pernell and Mrs. Annie Laura Thomas Pernell Williams “Mama Mistess” in Allen.

Mack was known as “Blue” by his family. He lived in Allen not only with his parents, but his four brothers, Douglas, Tommie Lee, Tim and Punch. In this small community, other family members encompassed him with love, grandparents, Papa Zed and Mama Susie; aunts, Corine, Hettie, Carrie, Albean and Edna; uncle, J.D.; and cousins, Dorothy Mae and Dannie Gray.

He embraced his early education in a small one-room classroom with students of all ages. Learning was paramount to him. After the death of his father, Mack and the family moved to Jackson. At the age of 11, he furthered his education at the Harper High School. In 1951, he graduated as valedictorian of his senior class. He joined Mt. Olive No. 2 Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. B.D. Lambert. He was installed as the Sunday school superintendent at 14 years of age.

While attending Harper School and visiting the A.O.H. Church, Mack met Carrie Mae McMillian. They married in August of 1951, and to this union six children were born, Byron, Keith, Freda, Tangila, Mack Allen and Merlyn.

Upon graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Anchorage, Alaska, where he was ordained as a deacon. Mack attended Alabama State University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in science and math. He furthered his studies at Alabama A & M University.

In 1958, Mack was employed by the Clarke County Board of Education as a science and math teacher at Harper High School. After 31 years of service, he retired. Other avenues of employment were Pernell’s Taxi Service, Pernell Taxes and the Jackson Municipal Pool, where he managed for more than 35 years.

Following 35 years of marriage, Carrie went home to be with the Lord, Mack was united in holy matrimony to Eloise Todd Clarke. This union cultivated a new beginning. On Feb. 10, 2024, the Jackson Municipal Pool was renamed in partnership with Mack and Eloise to the Clarke-Pernell Recreational Center.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Douglas, Tommie Lee and Timothy; and grandson Ray-Ray.

Mack leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Eloise Clarke Pernell; children, Byron and wife Aura, Keith and wife Dyanne, Freda and husband Pervien Allen, Tangila and husband James Hurst, Mack Allen and Merlyn and wife Lisa. Other children that were dear to his heart included Marian, Cynthia, Linda and Raymond; his brother, Dr. Eugene Pernell “Punch” and wife Yvonne; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; with a plethora of nieces, nephews and cousins; extended family, the Thomas Pernell cousins; patrons from the former Jackson Municipal Pool and the students he taught from different genres.

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