She was born in Newport News, Virginia on October 30, 1926 to Edward and Susie Boone. Among her seven siblings, she was the only female.
She graduated from Huntington High School and attended two years of college at Virginia State University before she married Hampton Pearson in March 1948.
Their union lasted more than 57 years, which included breaking down racial barriers, devotion to family, and creating a world of opportunity for their four children, Hampton, Jr, Devita, Faye and Tracey.
Beginning in the 1950’s, Lithia Pearson, a beautiful woman of color, was at the side of and often “Out Front” as the military wife of an Army officer, Hampton Pearson, who rose from the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to Colonel before retiring.
Tours of duty included stops in Okinawa, Japan; Anchorage, Alaska; El Paso, Texas and Cleveland, Ohio. During hardship tours for Hampton in Korea and Vietnam, she was both mother and father to her family.
In public, she was often described as elegant. A flair for high fashion and attention to detail were her calling cards. She was a stickler about proper dress and manners. She was not bashful with her critiques. Lithia’s keen eye led to success in her most enjoyable jobs that included stints at Elizabeth Arden and the legendary Garfinckel’s department store in Washington D.C.
At her core, she was always “Family First”…a reserved woman who loved the liveliness of a home filled with family and friends. For more than 30 years, the door was always open at the family home in Burke, Virginia.
She was a woman of faith and was a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia. Lithia had an inner strength and earnestly defended those that were vulnerable. She loved music. Even as her health began to decline and dementia took its toll, it was evident by the twinkle in her eyes that music continued to speak to her.
Lithia Pearson is survived by her brother, Arthur Boone, her children and seven grandchildren, Austin, Cheyenne and Sierra Guard, Joey, Nina and Christa Sacco, Virginia Musiek and one great grandchild, Simone Musiek. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband and granddaughter, Tanya Pearson.
Services at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date when Lithia will be laid to rest with her husband. Updates can be found at www.nationalfh-mp.com.
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