Service Announcements

Ms. Lula Hoskin of Charlotte, NC. passed away Tuesday May 22,2018. Funeral service will be held Saturday May 26,2018 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3400 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte,North Carolina 28216 Visitation will begin  at 11:00am and the service will follow @ 12:00Noon. Interment will be at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens. The Education: Obituary We’ve come a long way, a mighty long way
We’ve born our burdens in the heat of the day and the lord had shown us the way We’ve come a long way, a mighty long way The Beginning: Lula Pugh Hoskin (92) began her life in Shubuta, MS. She was the second of two children born to the union of Eugene and Virgie Pugh. After her mother’s death when she was only 13, her father remar- ried (Willie Mae) and her two younger brothers were born. As a child she was known at “Tint” be- cause she was tiny and sickly from allergies. The nickname stuck among her closest family members. Sister Hoskin had a happy childhood in a close-knit community. Her father was the breadwinner and sometimes had to travel across state lines for work. Her mother was a gentle soul and cared for the home. She spoke of walking miles to and from the one room school with her sister, cousins, and other children in the community and doing the same to get fresh water from the only well. She spoke of sim- ple meals and the joys of roasting sweet potatoes and peanuts in the ashes of the re. She accepted Christ at an early age joining Tribulation Baptist Church. The pastor during her later childhood was Rev. W. A. Hardaway from nearby Enterprise, MS. As was the custom then, preachers rotated among churches and he visited Tribulation once a month. He would stay with the Pugh family. Rev. Hardaway preached about going to school to get an education so that one could teach. She re- called at one time there were 14 teachers in the church. It was through Rev. Hardaway that she was connected to Mrs. Whitlock, his daughter, who became a life-long friend until her death. Rev. Hardaway told her father about his daughter who owned a florist shop in Meridian, MS—a town about 50 miles away–and the opportuni- ties that being in a larger town might bring. He suggested that Sister Hoskin be allowed to go live with his daughter so that she could continue her education after 8th grade. Her father agreed to this arrangement and Sister Hoskin then finished high school at T. J. Harris High School in Meridian. Sister Hoskin took the words of her minister to heart and became a teacher. The word epitomized her. In rural Mississippi one could start teaching after finishing 12th grade and she did just that, first under the supervision of Maria and Emma D. Jenkins. She served as principal of Pugh school—the community school–for one year. The school was named for her grand-
father Millage Eugene Pugh and built on land the family donated. She often spoke of how important this was to her heritage. Her beloved Cousin Pearlie Mae “Nan” Hoze, who pre- ceded her in death, was another of her grade school teachers. It was Nan’s name on her 8th grade diploma. Sister Hoskin’s goal was college. She saved her earnings, at first only $40 per month, to be able to do so. She received a scholarship to go to Alcorn State University, then Alcorn Col- lege, but she had her heart set on going to Jackson State University, then Jackson College. She did not have a scholarship, but her father sold cows and hogs to help. She got a job in the campus bookstore. Along with her savings that’s how she got through. While at Jackson State she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and was named the Carnival Queen in 1949. The Union: Upon earning her degree in education, Sister Hoskin began teaching in Marion County, MS in 1950. She joined the English Department at the high school and there met her future husband, Reuben Hoskin who had joined the teach- ing staff earlier in the year. They were married on Valen- tine’s Day in 1953. With thoughts of starting a family and putting down deeper
roots the young couple moved to Newton County, MS in 1955. The union produced three daughters— Sharon Belinda Hoskin, Ivy Denise Hoskin (still-born, July 1961) and Kathleen Anita Hoskin. Sister Hoskin held teaching positions at Boler High, Decatur, MS; Newton Vocational/N.H. Pilate High; and Newton Public Schools. She went on to teach 6th grade English and special education for 40 years. During their school years both of her younger brothers (John and Sonny) and her neph- ew (Brian) would come to live with the Hoskins and expand their family– an experience she greatly treasured. The Hoskins joined Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church shortly after arriving and became dedicated members of the church family. Sister Hoskin served as a deaconess and was a leader in the children’s ministry, including being the long-time coordinator of the annual Easter program. As a soprano, Sister Hoskin loved to sing in the church choir and around the family home. She instilled a passion for music in her daughters through voice and piano lessons during their formative years. After the death of her only sister Lillie, Sister Hoskin became very involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews. Sister Hoskin loved the joy of sharing knowledge with young minds and helping to transform lives. She be- lieved that earning a master’s degree would enhance her professional skills and pursued her studies during the summers. She earned her Master of Education from Tuskegee Institute in August 1972. At the time of her graduation she was recognized with membership in Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society in education. A respected and active member of the community, Sister Hoskin wanted to ensure her own children and the community’s children had the best possible opportunities. She founded and led the first African-American Girl Scout troop and was a leader of the local 4-H Club. She was a member of the H.M. Thompson Assembly #117, Order of the Golden Circle and the Daughters of Isis, Rissah Court #80. She was a member of the Scott County Chapter of the Jackson State Alumni Association and a proud supporter of the university. She last returned for her 50th anniversary class reunion in 2010. As an educator, Sister Hoskin’s students fondly remember her focus on discipline and “getting things proper and in order” right. Her youngest daughter had the privilege of teaching her Eng- lish and handwriting in the 6th grade. Sister Hoskin was the Pugh family matriarch and the family connector. She kept up with everyone by making regular phone calls, send- ing cards, offering advice and encouragement, and asking an endless array of questions. She celebrated accomplishments and shared her pride with all who would listen. She had a warm sense of humor and a ready smile. She loved baking, a good fish fry, and the joy of growing a variety of plants and flowers. The Hoskins relocated to Charlotte, NC, to be near their children and grandchil- dren in May 2011 and upon getting settled, became members of Friendship Mis- sionary Baptist Church. Her husband, Reuben proceeded her to be with the Lord, in September, 2014. The Legacy: Sister Hoskin transitioned to her new life in Glory on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. She leaves to mourn, two daughters: Sharon (Ron) Hoskin Matthews and Kath- leen (Drake) Hoskin Tunson; three grandchildren: Ariel Marie Tunson, Erin Rose Matthews, and Geoffrey Reuben Matthews; and, one great-grandson: Se- bastian Jarmal Glover, (all of Charlotte, NC); two brothers: Ruben “Sonny” (Myra) Pugh, Albany, NY and John Louis Pugh, Saginaw, MI; and nu- merous nieces, nephews, cousins and caring friends.