Alvanette LaVerne Mendoza Pulley, First-born child of Evangeline "Vangie" Jefferson and Hosea Mizell "Mike", was referred to by family members as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, auntie or Toni.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia and raised in Cape Charles during the period of segregation, she attended the "Cape Charles Colored School" over the hump and also attended Northampton High School. She worked with her grandfather Walter Jefferson at his grocery store on Mason Avenue (the first black owned business in Cape Charles) after school and on weekends. Also, on the weekends she delivered the "Journal and Guide" & "Afro American" newspapers in town.
She married Robert Pulley in 1960. Together they had 3 children. In 1961 she moved to Connecticut where she resided until in 1977 when she returned home to Cape Charles to care for her grandmother Violet Jefferson, until she went home to be with the Lord in 1978. She returned to Connecticut in 1980 after her daughter Bobbie graduated in 1979. She remained there until 1994 and then returned home for good.
During her time in Connecticut, approximately 25 + years, she made a living working nights and weekends as a barkeeper, raising not only her two children, but helping raise her grandchildren as well. She also helped raise three boys of a close family friend for five years.
Alvanette returned home in 1994 and connect with James "Fuzz" Mitchel, who would become her partner for the next 23 years. He went home to be with the Lord in 2017.
She loved her children, grand-children and especially her great-grand-children. Their welfare always came first.
In her younger years Alvanette loved to play basketball, softball and shoot pool. Being from the shore, she also had a love for fishing and crabbing. She loved her music; beginning with the soul singers from the 60's through the 80's, admiring Babyface, with a special love for her jazz musicians especially Gerald Albright.
She was referred to by family members as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, auntie or Toni.
Mend Siblings include Irene Crossland of Fredericksburg VA, Steven Banks of Cape Charles VA, Tejuana Mendoza of Maryland, Rasheedah Saahir of Florida, Maureen Sterling of Eastville VA, Evangeline "Cissy" Staten of Cheriton VA, and Valerie "Val" Keeling of Jacksonville NC. Predeceased siblings include Walton "Baby Brother" Mendoza, Carlos Mendoza, Leslie "Billy Wyatt" Jenkins, Douglas "Cricket" Perry & Zandra Mendoza. Children: Robert Walton Pulley (predeceased), Dulcet "Bobbie" Pulley, Eric Pulley and 3 grandchildren, 6 great-grand children and a host of nieces and nephews.
Her legacy will be carried on as she will be greatly missed by all of us.
You are and always will be very special to each and every one of us.
Memorial Service
Saturday, January 7, 2023 @ 2:00
Calvary Baptist Church
21 Concord Street, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854
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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Alvanette Mendoza
Pulley
November 13, 1943 – December 15, 2022
Obituary
Services
Visitation
First Baptist Church
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Funeral Service
First Baptist Church
Starts at 1:00 pm
Memorial Service
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