Edna Pemberton: A Legacy of Community Service and Leadership

A longtime Oak Cliff civic leader and community volunteer, Edna Pemberton, died Sunday. She was 81.

Pemberton, said to be “the soul” in the redevelopment of the area around what is now the Shops at RedBird, carried the Olympic torch through Dallas. She has influenced business and politics throughout the city.

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Sunday called Pemberton “a fierce advocate, a fearless voice, and a true community leader.”

“She didn’t just believe in change—she was the change,” Crockett wrote in a social media post. “North Texas and the world are better because of the work she did and the lives she touched.

Early Life and Career

Pemberton, also known as “Mrs. P,” was committed to public service for decades, receiving praise from elected officials, community and religious groups. Council members and other local officials heard from Pemberton regularly as she worked to create change in her community. She tried running for council in 1993 but later said she was grateful she lost, pushing for change as an outsider.

“I know a lot of influential people and high-profile people, but my work is done in the trenches,” Pemberton told The Dallas Morning News in 2016.

Humanitarian Work and Disaster Relief

Pemberton volunteered for humanitarian work, disaster relief and to help homeless people, including providing aid to evacuees after Hurricane Katrina. Federal officials credited her with helping about 84,000 who had evacuated, many of whom relocated to Dallas, according to a report from The News.

In 1996, she carried the Olympic torch through Dallas.

Family and Personal Life

Pemberton said her husband, DarNell Pemberton, was her “possee buddy.” They had four kids, and when her sister died, they added six more children to their family. The family was active with Concord Missionary Baptist Church in the 1990s, volunteering for disaster relief and humanitarian work.

Brodney Williams, Pemberton’s 27-year-old grandson, told The News on Monday his grandmother would have him look to DarNell Pemberton — who died in 2005 — as inspiration. Edna Pemberton was transparent and blunt, but not mean, about what she wanted. She instilled strength, Williams said.

“Not strength through fear, moreso strength through kindness and understanding, but also through transparency, strength in clarity,” Williams said.

Tributes and Legacy

Tributes to Pemberton have poured in over social media.

Former councilman Erik Wilson, who is in the race for District 8 this year, said in a social media post Sunday night he was grateful for the legacy she leaves. Wilson wrote Pemberton was more than a community leader, but a “force.”

“She was tireless in her efforts, unwavering in her convictions, and always present where it mattered most,” Wilson wrote. “Whether it was uplifting our neighborhoods, building trust between law enforcement and residents, or pouring wisdom into the next generation of leaders, Ms. P never wavered.”

Andre Butler helps Edna Pemberton back to her seat after giving remarks during a previous juvenile curfew public hearing at Dallas City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Shaban Athuman/The Dallas Morning News)

Redevelopment Efforts and Community Impact

Pemberton was the face of redevelopment efforts at the Red Bird mall, formerly known as Southwest Center Mall, serving as the community liaison. Former Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings said she was much more — “she was a community mother.”

“Nothing happened in that community if she didn’t want it to happen,” Rawlings said. “She did always the right thing. It was about the citizens and the people and the children, and she came last. She understood that, then Southwest Center Mall, was a critical hub of that part of town.”

Funeral and Memorial Services

Pemberton’s wake will be April 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Evergreen Funeral Home. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. on April 26 at Concord Church.

Conclusion

Edna Pemberton’s legacy will be remembered for her tireless efforts to create positive change in her community. Her commitment to public service, humanitarian work, and community development has left a lasting impact on the city of Dallas. As a true community leader, she will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Edna Pemberton’s role in the redevelopment of the Shops at RedBird?

Edna Pemberton was the face of redevelopment efforts at the Red Bird mall, formerly known as Southwest Center Mall, serving as the community liaison.

What were some of Edna Pemberton’s notable achievements?

Some of Edna Pemberton’s notable achievements include carrying the Olympic torch through Dallas, volunteering for humanitarian work and disaster relief, and providing aid to evacuees after Hurricane Katrina.

What is Edna Pemberton’s legacy?

Edna Pemberton’s legacy is one of tireless efforts to create positive change in her community, commitment to public service, humanitarian work, and community development, leaving a lasting impact on the city of Dallas.

When and where will Edna Pemberton’s funeral be held?

Edna Pemberton’s wake will be April 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Evergreen Funeral Home, and her funeral will be at 10 a.m. on April 26 at Concord Church.