Shirley Helen (Tebo) Pearson was born July 2, 1943, in Athens, New York in the Catskill Mountains to Rev. Lloyd and Helen (Carlson) Tebo, both deceased. Shirley is formerly of Stonington and Decatur, Illinois, and Plano, Texas. She accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized by her dad in Osceola, Illinois. Shirley went to be with the Lord on October 27, 2023, at her home in Allen, Texas.
Shirley graduated from Stonington High School in 1961, where she played trumpet in the band and sang in the choir. Earlier in life she had learned to play the accordion. Shirley always enjoyed playing, singing, and listening to beautiful music. She also played the piano and organ at Old Stonington Baptist Church and sang in the choir there. Following graduation, she worked at the Mission Covenant Office in Chicago. She and her husband, Max M. Pearson, were married on July 25, 1964, and lived in Decatur, Illinois. At Decatur First Baptist she started and taught at the Children’s Development Center, as well as sang in the choir and ensembles, and played in the handbell choir. In 1980 Max and Shirley settled in Plano, Texas, where she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Plano. Shirley touched many lives through her service as a cook, choir member, handbell member, children’s choir director, children’s handbell director, and shut-in ministry. Shirley will always be remembered for her love of cooking delicious meals and her beautiful flowers.
Shirley was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister who loved spending time with her family. She and her husband, Max loved traveling together, and traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe, and a mission trip to the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan. Their adventures included Canadian fishing trips, an Alaskan cruise and dogsled excursion, and trips to Hawaii.
Besides her husband, Max, she is survived by her sons Steven C. (Samia) and Gregory A. Pearson, granddaughters, Julie Pearson (Dayton) Mercurio, Cathy and Beth Pearson, great grandchildren Stella and Sterling Mercurio, and sisters Beverly (Tebo) Bowns and Marilyn Tebo (Dennis) Willmert, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Shirley has lived life to the fullest, thanks to her loving husband and their sons.
The visitation will be Tuesday, October 31 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Allen Family Funeral Options at 2112 West Springcreek Parkway in Plano, Texas. A Celebration of Life service will be held Wednesday, November 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Plano located at 3665 West George Bush Highway, Plano, Texas 75075 with Dr. Jerry Carlisle officiating.
In Illinois, there will be a visitation on Sunday, November 5 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at McClure Funeral Home located at 302 W. Poplar Street in Taylorville, Illinois. There will be a graveside service and burial at The Old Stonington Cemetery in Stonington, Illinois on November 6th at 1:00 p.m. The Reverend Joel Lohr will preside.
Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund.
