08/11/2025
Martha Gwendolyn Pearson
Houston, MS- With sadness we announce the passing of our dear sister, Martha Gwendolyn Pearson, age 89, of Houston, Mississippi.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Mildred Augusta Cordell, her father Fred Augustus Pearson, and her mother, Drudie Mildred Morgan Pearson.
Gwendolyn leaves her sister, Ferial Bess Kirby of Lakeland, Florida and her brother, Fred Augustus Pearson, Jr, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and many nieces and nephews.
Born on February 7, 1936, in Greenwood, Mississippi, Gwendolyn, the first born of her parents, grew up helping care for her siblings and later in life putting in hours at her family’s grocery store.
A beloved daughter and sister, Gwendolyn will be remembered for her 1) Academic achievements 2) her staunch faith and 3) her missionary heart. Gwendolyn did great in public school; she did great in college, receiving her degree cm laude from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. She even went further to George Peabody College, receiving her master’s degree. While there at Peabody, she was commissioned in 1973 to rewrite Algebra textbooks. She completed the first one in 10 months in June of 1974.
Her high school teaching career began in Nashville, Tennessee, then Houston, Mississippi. Next for Gwendolyn was teaching high school in Manzini, Swaziland, Africa. A proud teacher she was. Gwendolyn believed that every child had potential, and she sought to help as many young minds as she could. Pastor Cherry was one of many students she helped.
Not only will Gwendolyn be remembered for her academic excellence, but also for her staunch faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was an active member of the Houston, Mississippi Church of the Nazarene serving there, through the years, in many capacities, VBS, leading worship, playing the piano, serving on the board, teaching a Sunday school class, and wherever she was needed. Oh, how she loved her Savior and Lord.
Gwendolyn will also be remembered for her missionary heart. The world was her mission field. Traveling abroad, walking the wall of China, teaching in the Nazarene High School in Manzini, Swaziland, South Africa; these things touched her heart. She always wanted the mission budget of the church to be paid in full. In 1974, she was notified of her nomination to be included in the seventh edition of “Personalities of the South.”
A Funeral Service to celebrate Gwendolyn’s life will be held at Fellowship Church of the Nazarene in Houston, Mississippi on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 11 AM with Bro. Scott Samuell and Bro. Johnny Cherry officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM until time of service. Burial will follow at Chickasaw Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the mission’s program of Fellowship Church of the Nazarene or Faith Bible Church in Houston, Mississippi.
Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at www.houstonfuneralhomems.com
