Mary Belle Pearson

On Sunday, September 20, 2015, four days shy of her 95th birthday Mary Pearson, passed away leaving her family to cherish memories of her kind spirit and sweet smile.
Mary Belle Wheeler was born on September 24, 1920, on a farm in Montague County, Texas. She was the second of three children born to John and Faye (Brower) Wheeler. Mary attended school in the Selma community until she was 16. She moved to Bowie, Texas to live with her uncle and aunt, Howard and Annie Lee Wheeler, following the death of both her parents and graduated from Bowie High School. Mary attended business school. She worked at hospitals in Wichita Falls and Odessa. It was in Odessa, Texas she met Albert Pearson and was later united in marriage February 2, 1949. The couple soon returned to Albert’s former home community Ericksdahl, to farm and raise their children. Mary was predeceased by her husband of 59 years on July 25, 2008. Mary devoted her life to taking care of her family, as a homemaker; she prepared delicious homemade meals sewed, raised a garden and worked on the farm. She was a loving wife, mother, and granny who lived her Christian faith. She cherished her “Granny Years”, especially the years she and Papa provided daycare for their granddaughter Kajsa. Granny’s day was extra special if her children or grandchildren came to visit especially if she was able to prepare a meal, or serve some of her sweet confections, or just a slice of Swedish rye bread. She was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church where she was active in many capacities, including WELCA, taught Sunday school, VBS and helped with the Smorgasbord. Mary served as a room mother during her children’s school years and was a member of the PTA.
Preceding Mary in death were her parents, her husband, her Uncle Howard and Aunt Annie Lee Wheeler, two brothers, John Wheeler and T.J. Wheeler and his wife Neva.
Survivors include: two sons, David Pearson and wife Rita of Canadian, Texas, Glen Pearson and wife Kathie of Stamford, Texas, one daughter, Tena Tankersley and husband Sam of Stamford, Texas; six grandchildren, Dallas Fillingim and wife Krystal of Windthorst, Texas, Lindsey Thomas and husband Mike of Canyon, Texas, Brad Burleson and wife Marie of Fort Worth, Texas, Kajsa Pearson of Stephenville, Texas, Jaclyn Tankersley Lisle of Aledo, Texas, and Eric Tankersley and fiancé Courtney of Fredericksburg, Texas; great grandchildren, Blain, Dagen, Keaira, Kamry, Karissa, Jackson, Jaren, Jadyn, Strykr and Gunnr; a sister-in-law Charlotte Wheeler of Kingsland, Texas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Family and friends will remember Mary during Funeral Services on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ericksdahl with the Rev. Teresa Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home of Stamford.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church PO Box 828 Stamford, TX 79553 or Hendrick Hospice Care P.O. Box 1922 Abilene, TX 79601