Dec. 24, 1927 – April 13, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for Willie Carol Pearson, 89, of Kingston, who died Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford, will be 10 a.m. Monday at Parkway Baptist Church in Natchez with the Rev. Jeff Brewer officiating.
Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at the church.
Mr. Pearson was born Dec. 24, 1927, in Amite County, the son of Willie A. Pearson and Ruby Anders Pearson.
He attended East McComb Baptist Church and was a graduate of McComb High School. A Korean War Army veteran, he received three Purple Hearts and returned to Natchez to work 38 years for International Paper Company until his retirement. He was a co-founder of the Adams County Water Association and a Mason.
A dedicated charter member of Parkway Baptist Church, he was a member of the Heavenbound Sunday school class and served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He enjoyed growing tomatoes and vegetables in his large garden in Kingston, hunting and fishing.
Mr. Pearson was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, Harvey Moese Pearson.
Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Willie Lee Pearson; two sons, Joseph Carol Pearson of Richland and Ashton C. Pearson Sr. and wife, Kathy, of Oxford; one sister, Bettye Pearson Richard and husband, Joseph G. Richard Jr. of Baton Rouge; one niece, Beth Richard; one nephew, Bill Richard and wife, Amy; five grandchildren, Ashton C. (Chip) Pearson Jr. and wife, Katie, Matthew Pearson and fiancée, Hilary Calametti, Stewart and Maggie Pearson, Emily Snyder and husband, Drake; and two great-grandchildren, Ashton III and Brooks Pearson.
Pallbearers will be Chip Pearson, Matt Pearson, James Smith, Ralph LeMay, Freddie Sandel and Danny Goldman.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph G. Richard Jr., Charles C. Thompson Jr., Damon Ball, Emmett Keating, Steve Fulmer and the members of Heavenbound Sunday school class at Parkway Baptist Church.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford, Camellia Hospice in Oxford and Dr. Bryan Hathorn of Baton Rouge.
Memorials may be made to Parkway Baptist Church Building Fund.
Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.