Pearlie Mae Fields Budden was born in Lee County, Georgia on December 19, 1944 , to the late Harold and Pearline Harden Fields .  She was one of ten siblings .

She received her formal education in the Dougherty County School System , including Monroe High School where she graduated in the Class of 1965 . She continued her education at Albany Area Vocational School.

Raised in a strong Christian home, Pearlie gave her life to Christ at a young age.  She was a devoted member of St. Teresa's Catholic Church and blended her voice in the choir.  Pearlie was also instrumental in organizing the church's first gospel choir. She dearly loved the Lord and fervently availed herself in service.

Pearlie was united in marriage to the love of her life, James Earnest Budden.  Their union endured for 54 years and was blessed with two wonderful children —Melody and James Jr. As a wife, she supported her husband in all his endeavors; as a mother, she worked tirelessly to ensure that her children were nurtured in the admonition of the Lord.

An avid collector of antiques and dolls, Pearlie amassed a collection of dolls that was countless and immeasurable.  A visit to her home might have felt as if you were being watched—by dolls!  She also had a fondness for animals and dearly loved her cats.  Pearlie was a unique, compassionate, loving, and giving woman whose life was filled with many interesting experiences combined with civic and community engagement.  She was a Civil Rights activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King; was jailed seven times; and participated in the "March On Washington" in 1963.  She had a big heart, gave of herself freely, and impacted the lives of everyone around her in a very special way.

On June 24, 2022, Pearlie quietly departed this earthly life.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six siblings, Martha Walker, Mary Patrick, Wilbur Fields, Willie Fields, Joseph Fields, Sr., and Eliajah Fields.

She leaves beautiful memories and a legacy of love that will forever be cherished by her beloved husband, James Earnest Budden, Sr.; her children, Melody Jordan (Thomas) and James Earnest Budden, Jr. ( Maresha ); stepson, Earnest Harvin; a special godson/nephew, Olden Budden, Jr. (Charity); grandchildren, Mia Semja White (Jonathan), Ayejah Zakery , Jamesha Budden, Alexis Harvin, and Byson Budden; great grandchildren, Jace White, Jaxon White, and Jagger White; siblings, Stella Mae Johnson, John Fields, Sr. (Mary Frances), and William Fields, Sr. (Dorothy); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.