Maudie Lea Hodges Pearson, 86, died Tuesday, May 29, 2013 at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center in Amory, MS. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 30, 2013, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 31,
2013, at 10 a.m. in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Todd Plunkett and Rev. Jerry Lundy officiating. Interment will follow in Harmony Baptist Church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Kenny Arnett, Travis Creel, Tyler Hill, Jeffrey Hodges, Billy Pearson, Jr. and Larry Pearson.
She was born March 16, 1927, in Holden, Louisiana, to Luther Hobson and MaudieBennie Wascom Hodges. She was a member of East End Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi, after moving to Trinity Retirement Center. After moving to Louisville and while living in the Nanih Waiya community, she was a member of Harmony Baptist Church.
MawMaw, as she was known by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, moved to Kosciusko after her marriage to the love of her life, Joe Frank Pearson, where they lived for over 35 years. They moved to Nanih Waiya when she retired. She was a retired grocery store clerk, having worked for many years in Kosciusko and then in Louisville. Her customers remember her for her smile and friendly service. MawMaw loved being around people, especially family and friends. She also enjoyed cooking and working in the church.
Survivors include her 3 children: Robert Pearson (Barbara) of Nanih Waiya; Jo Ann Plunkett (David) of Aberdeen; and Billy Pearson (Susan) of West. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Krista Vivian, Christy Creel (Travis), Jency Hill (Tyler), Billy Pearson, Jr. (Mandy), Todd Plunkett (RaShel), Beth Boatner, Norwood Pearson, Amber Downing (Brian) and Becky Pearson. Mrs. Pearson also had 13 great-grandchildren: Layla and Ashlyn Hill, Kendall and Kaleb Plunkett, Breanna and Bailey Boatner, Emma, Abby and Avery Creel, Kaden Pearson, Luna Pearson, Mason Macias, Jadie Vasquez. She is survived by one brother, David Hodges (Mary Alice), and one sister, Mavis Arnett (Bob). She is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Joe Frank Pearson; her parents; two brothers, Norwood Hodges and Leon Hodges; and two sisters, Vina Fidele and Milber Fortenberry.
Memorials may be given to the Gideon's International, Winston-Choctaw Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 556, Louisville, MS 39339.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 N. Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
