Joseph Herbert Pearson, Jr.

Joseph Herbert Pearson, Jr. was born on September 18, 1937 in North Charleroi, Pennsylvania. He passed away peacefully on June 3, 2023 at Wellstar Tranquility Hospital at Kennesaw Mountain, where he had been cared for by hospice staff and surrounded by family. He was predeceased by his wife, Larinda “Lily” Tervelt and his parents, Joseph and Mary Pearson. Joe is lovingly remembered by his son, Kyle [Alison] Pearson, granddaughters Rachel and Lindsey; daughter, Paige Pearson [Knox] Wimberly, granddaughter Gracianna; brother, Jim [Judy] Pearson; stepdaughters, Sally Ray, Kate Branson, Abby Barnes, and families; former spouse and beloved friend, Helen Bruch Pearson [Luther] Smith; and many nieces and nephews. He was a lifelong lover of learning. He graduated from Graceland College in 1958 with an associate’s degree, and from the University of Kansas in 1961 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education. He began his professional life as a high school English teacher. He then worked as a campus minister at the University of Kansas, an editor at Herald House Publishing, and an executive with the United Way of Greater Atlanta. On March 17, 2008, Joe retired from United Way as Vice President for Area Development after 23 years of devoted service. Joe also loved the church. He grew up in the Methodist Church, but as a young adult he became an active lay leader with the Community of Christ Church and was eventually ordained as a minister in that faith. Later in life, Joe joined the Episcopal Church. He was ordained a deacon on August 6, 2006 at St. Luke’s in Atlanta. While at St. Luke’s, he became a certified spiritual director through the Haden Institute, and played a key role in restarting St. Luke’s Education for Ministry (EFM) program. He also served in ministry at St. James in Marietta and, finally, at Holy Trinity in Decatur. He provided spiritual direction, assisted in worship, and preached when given the opportunity, but teaching EFM classes was the highlight of his ministry. Last but not least, Joe loved spending time with family and friends. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading crime novels along with books of poetry, theology, and spirituality. He was a longtime member of a book club, and a prolific writer of poetry and personal reflection. When he wasn’t reading or writing or searching for the perfect hamburger with his Burger Club, Joe also enjoyed photography, tennis, clogging, hiking, and watching the Atlanta Braves. He also loved traveling and flying kites. Whenever he visited a new place, he marked the experience by flying his kite high and free above the horizon. During his travels with Larinda, he began a new tradition of collecting hand made chalices. His family has kept a small selection of his chalices, and the rest have been donated to Holy Trinity in his memory. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, June 26, 2023 at Holy Trinity Parish Episcopal Church, 515 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made in Joe’s honor to United Way of Greater Atlanta, 40 Courtland St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-527-7200,unitedwayatlanta.org/give/?book_number=999