Pearlina Moseley

Pearlina Alberta Moseley’s roots were firmly planted in Jamaica, where she learned from a young age how to grow fruits and vegetables and to take care of animals like cows and goats. In her lifetime, Mrs. Moseley, known to many as Sister Mama, would nurture a family that grew to include 9 children, 34 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. When she died on May 21 at home in Springs, she was under the care of hospice and surrounded by her loved ones. She was 79 years old and had breast cancer.

“She was the mother hen to her family, always keeping them together,” they wrote. “Even more, she was the mother hen to her sisters, many nieces, and nephews, who will remember her disciplined and nurturing spirit. She was seen as the miracle mother, making something out of nothing.”

Mrs. Moseley was born on March 7, 1937, to Ethan Samuels and Clementina Mulgrave in Gingerhill, Hanover, Jamaica. She attended the Riverside All Age School, and eventually left the countryside to join her older sister, Delrose, in the city of Kingston. It was there that she met her first love, Roy Artwell, with whom she had three children, although one of her sons died at a young age.

The longing for a simpler life called her back to the country, though, and after her return to Gingerhill, she met Clegburgh (Thomas) Moseley, who her family said captivated her heart. The couple lived together for 15 years before marrying on Aug. 6, 1976, and together would have six children.

Their sixth child, Melisa, was born when Mrs. Moseley was 44 years old. Out of concern that she would not be able to care for her in the same capacity with which she cared for her other children, it was decided they would move to the United States in 1997, when Mrs. Moseley was 60 years old, to live near her younger sister, Daphne, for support.

They came to East Hampton, where they believed they would find better opportunities, and purchased their house in Springs in 2005. Mrs. Moseley petitioned the government in 1998 to bring her other children to the U.S., and they were eventually allowed to join her and her husband in 2005.

Mrs. Moseley had worked as a clerk at Kmart and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she was known as Mother Moseley and considered a church elder. She was known as the family historian and a wonderful, wise storyteller.

“Pearlina was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother,” her family wrote. “She held her ‘Golden Text’ steadfast and taught her children about the power of prayer. Her last prayer was that her family stayed bonded in love and she saw that realized even in her last days. Like the pearl, Pearlina was precious and will be missed by all those she loved and who loved her equally.”

In addition to her husband, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Mrs. Moseley leaves her children Lascelle Artwell of Maryland, Rosemarie Whiteley of Jamaica, and Curtist Moseley of Florida, and Lynsferd Moseley, Andrew Moseley, Sandria Moseley, Julianne Moseley, and Melisa Moseley, all of East Hampton. She also leaves seven siblings: DelRose Lowe of England, Daphne Gabbiden of Pennsylvania, Hyacinth Nelson of New York City, Audrey Mason of Islip, Carmeta Boothe of Islip, Erma Campbell of New York City, and Christine Christie of New York City.

Visiting hours for Mrs. Moseley were held on Tuesday and her funeral was on Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church. She is buried at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton.