Mr. Pearson was a lifetime member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Barley, Virginia, and a 57-year member of Woodman of the World.  He was a surviving  Army veteran of World War II.  He dearly loved his wife and children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He was an avid gardener who loved to share his food from his garden with his family and friends.  He loved going to Nags Head fishing and going to the mountains to see the fall foliage.

Mr. Pearson  was born June 5, 1926, to the late Rufus Vernon Pearson and Sarah Elizabeth Wright Pearson.  Also preceding him in death were his brothers: Edward and Grady Pearson; and his sisters: Florence Bennett, Susie Powers, Mable Tudor and Nora Bennett.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Erma Pearson of the home; his daughters: Janie Midgette and husband , Jack, of Roanoke Rapids; Sandra Kay and husband, Johnny, of Chesterfield, Virginia; Gail Duke and husband, Craig, of Gaston, and Walter T. Pearson, Jr. and wife, Tammy, of Roanoke Rapids; his sister, Mamie Harris, of Roanoke Rapids; his grandchildren: Steve Midgette and wife, Andrea, of Roanoke Rapids, April Perry and husband, Cris, of Dallas, Georgia, John Kay, III, and wife, Nicki, of Buffalo, New York, Stephanie Robbins and husband, Robbie, of Roanoke Rapids, Cody Pearson, Courtney Pearson of Roanoke Rapids, Julie Arrington and husband, Todd, of Canton, Georgia; his great-grandchildren: Jackson and Brayden Midgette, Jaxon Kay, Camren Rosselli, Trey and Madelyne Arrington, and Tatum Perry.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, from 6:30 until 8:30 P.M. at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service which is handling the arrangements and other times at the home: 2010 Hell’s Island Road, Emporia, Virginia.

Funeral services will be Thursday, October 13, 2011, at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Sung W. Yoo officiating .  Burial will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ebenezer United Methodist  Church, c/o Patsy Bennett, 32 Triplet Road, Valentines, Virginia  23887.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.