Demetrius Omarr Pulley Sr.

Demetrius Omarr Pulley, Sr., age 47, of Jefferson City, Mo., entered into the rest of Jesus on Monday, June 17, 2024. He left his earthly home as a result of a tragic drowning accident.
He was born in Rolla, Mo., on February 2, 1977, the son to Joe Hall and Mary Ann Pulley. He was united in marriage to Tasha Renee Karnes-Pulley on November 29, 2003, and together they had two children. She preceded him in death on October 12, 2018. He later met Victoria Lynn Smith with whom he welcomed his son into the world.
A lifelong resident of Missouri, Demetrius attended and graduated from Rolla High School before continuing his vocational education through Rolla Technical School, vocational rehab, Job Core, and Lincoln University, developing skills in numerous areas.
Demetrius held positions in various fields. His love of cooking led him to pursue work in food service while living in Rolla and he later worked security for AMC, Vets Unarmed Security, and at Scholastic in Jefferson City, Mo.
Being raised in a faith filled Christian family, Demetrius was saved at the age of nine at Salem Avenue Baptist Church in Rolla. Throughout his life he attended many churches including, First Assembly of God in Rolla, where he was very active in the Youth Ministries Program, Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church in St. Robert, Mo., Agape Full Gospel Ministry, a church started and pastored by his mother, New Dimensional and Powerhouse Ministries, and United Community Cathedral. Though Demetrius faced challenges in his life and didn't always attend church consistently, his relationship with God remained intact and he exhibited the love of Jesus Christ in his life, searching for the good in every person he encountered.
He was the epitome of a social butterfly. His playful nature drew others to him, and he lit up any room he entered. He had a lighthearted sense of humor and loved to joke and tease. His love for cooking was not only a professional skill but a personal and social endeavor as well. His family and friends will savor memories of him preparing his baked chicken, burgers, and pork steaks among many other dishes. They will also cherish memories of trips to Silver Dollar City and to Malden, Mo. to visit family. He enjoyed the outdoors especially if he was fishing. As a young man, Demetrius enjoyed traveling with his family to various cities across the U.S., due to his grandfather's and mother's involvement with the NAACP and MS&T's (formerly UMR) Voices of Inspiration gospel choir.
Demetrius was intelligent and possessed innate wisdom. He had a heart for people and always acted with empathy and acceptance. His seemingly effortless ability to relate and connect to others was profound and set him apart. Above all, Demetrius deeply loved his family. He and his mother had a special bond that transcended disagreements and differences in opinions. He was his mother's greatest supporter in sharing her ministry knowledge and wisdom via Facebook live. He would do anything for his loved ones and was a fierce protector of those he held dear. His children were his greatest joy and highest accomplishment in this life. The love and adoration he held for them will live on eternally.
Survivors include his mother, Mary Pulley; children, Latavia Elizabeth Ann Pulley and Loralei Estella Anita Pulley, both of St. James, Mo., and Demetrius Omarr Pulley Jr., of Granite City, Il.; sister, Anita L. Cole; cousins, Courtney Pulley, Andrea Pulley-Schaffer, Samuel Elliot Pulley, Taneshia Pulley, Roshanda Pulley, Ronald Pulley Jr., Anthony Hughes, and Anetra Pulley-Taylor; aunts and uncles, Alvin Pulley Sr., Floyd Pulley, Sylvester Pulley Jr., James Pulley, Ronald Pulley Sr., and Margie Freeman; nieces and nephews, Jordan Paul Cole, Gabrielle Ayana Cole, and Jeffrey Michael Cole; God sisters, Karonica Glover-Brice, Jnay Miller Lefatshe, Tashia Briggs, and Dr. Treaka Nicole King-Young; God sons, Bryan Young and Darryeon Miller; and a number of additional cousins, extended family members, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Hall; grandparents, Sylvester Pulley, Sr. and Matilda Augusta Pulley; aunts, Lelar Marie Combs, and Loretta Estella Pulley; and cousins, Angela Pulley-Hill and David Combs, Jr.
Visitation will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at First Assembly of God in Jefferson City (1900 State Hwy C, Jefferson City, MO 65109).
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at First Assembly of God with Pastor Christine Ballard-Grandberry officiating. A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, for friends that are not able to attend by going to this memorial page.
Demetrius will be laid to rest at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 6, 2024 at Macedonia Cemetery in Malden, Mo. alongside his grandparents and many other members of his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to The Demetrius Pulley Memorial Fund c/o Freeman Mortuary (P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, MO 65102). Personal donations to his mother can be sent via https://gofund.me/417da58e.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.