Visitation will be from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Monday November 6 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday November 7 at Bryan City Cemetery.
Johnnie was born June 24, 1935 in Portales, New Mexico the daughter of Johnie
Eugene and Audrey (Lyles) Williams. She graduated from Portales High School and attended Eastern New Mexico University. Johnnie married Dub Pearson, also from Portales, and moved with his newspaper career to Lubbock, Midland, Big Spring, and Bryan-College Station. They owned and operated Tri State Sporting Goods in Bryan from 1981-87.
During high school, Johnnie was an actress in the Theatre Group and played Rebecca Gibbs in Our Town. She was a Varsity Cheerleader while her future husband was Captain of the basketball team. She was chosen to dance around the school’s May Pole wearing a formal yellow dress.
She was affectionately called Mom, Grams, and Grandma by her family. She was active in her children’s lives and volunteered in their activities as Room Mom, Girl Scout Leader, Choir Chaperone, and chauffer to sports practices and games. She also volunteered in Midland’s Hospital as a Pink Lady.
There were significant periods in Johnnie’s life when she willingly stepped in as a caregiver for her ill siblings and parents. This often took her back to New Mexico and time away from her normal life.
Johnnie volunteered over 25 years of service in prison ministries in the various units of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This was a calling and passion that she put an enormous amount of time and energy into. She embodied a Christ like love, and knew that nobody was beyond redemption. That love and her teachings reached and touched many souls. She was a Christian and enjoyed learning and spreading His word.
Johnnie is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years W.S. ‘Dub’ Pearson; both parents; 3 sisters and 2 brothers; and grandson Joseph Pearson. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Ron Allen of Dallas; sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Stephanie Pearson of College Station, Steven and Duana Pearson of Nacogdoches, and Brad Pearson of Bryan; grandchildren Audra Smolinski, Kim Allen, Laura Allen, Johnna Gray, Alex and Brian Pearson, Mandi and Sarah Pearson, Megan and Josh Pearson; and 7 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Still Creek Ranch, 6055 Hearne Rd, Bryan, TX 77808.