Pearson, Juanita Jane Jones

Juanita Jane Jones Pearson, of Blacksburg, Va., died on Monday, May 3, 2010, in Blacksburg Va. Mrs. Pearson was born on May 16, 1915, to the late William E. and Emmaline Jones and was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Pearson; daughters, Naomi Pearson and Julia Forte; granddaughter, Sabrina Nickens; and siblings, Annie, Willie, Nanon, Portia, Naomi, John-Boston, Archie and James. Juanita spent her youth in the mountains of Giles County in her father’s orchards. Educated in Pearisburg Va., she had a great love of reading, animals, storytelling and walking the hills with a walking stick in one hand, a sickle in the other. As skilled at working the soil as with a needle, she loved tending both practical and ornamental gardens. After marrying Harry Pearson, she moved to West Virginia where they made numerous lifelong friends with whom she exchanged letters for decades. A terrific source of wit and wisdom: having lived through The Great Depression, wartimes and nearly a century, she approached life with a razor-sharp sense of humor. Juanita is survived by her daughter, Joyce and spouse, David Parks, of Blacksburg Va.; daughter, Frances and spouse, William Holmes, of London, W.Va.; son, George Pearson and spouse, Evelyn, of Pearisburg Va.; son, Douglas Pearson and spouse, Sharon, of Laurel Md.; brother, Silas Jones, of Pearisburg, Va.; sister-in-law, Lois Jones, of Roanoke Va.; 11 much loved grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; six greatgreat-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be conducted 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Westview cemetery, Blacksburg, Va., by the Rev. Anthony Saunders. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Blacksburg Rescue Squad, 200 Progress St., Blacksburg, Va. 24060. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.