Gwendolyn S. Pearson

Dr. Gwendolyn Smith Pearson died peacefully at home on January 12, 2024 at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William Marvin Pearson, and by her second husband, Darwin B. Watkins.

She is survived by four children, James W. Pearson (Lou), Jane P. Burris (Arnie), Joel H. Pearson (Cathy), and John C. Pearson (Andy); six grandchildren, Philip Pearson (Ashley), Price Pearson (Christina), Jessie Burris (David), William Burris (Ashley), Nan Partridge (Tommy), Hartley Pearson (Molly), sister, Mathalia Ann Price, and 12 great-grandchildren.

The eldest daughter of Moses Calvin Smith and Sammie Mae Hartley, Gwen was born on January 8, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama. Moving to Montgomery in 1940, she graduated from Sidney Lanier High School and attended the University of Alabama before returning home to graduate with a B.A. from Huntingdon College in 1952.

She worked as an illustrator at the Air University, Maxwell AFB from 1956 to 1960, then owned a business which produced visual aids for education from 1960-1966.

In 1973, she returned to college. She received her M.Ed. from Auburn in 1976 and her Ed.D. from Auburn in 1984. Her interest in psychology and eventual degree in Counseling led to work for the Department of Youth Services at Mt. Meigs, the Psychology Service of the Tuskegee V.A. Medical Center and Greil Memorial Psychiatric Hospital. Later, she opened a private practice in Counseling with her office at Dexter Avenue United Methodist Church where she was a member for over 60 years. While at Dexter she served as a Sunday School teacher, was on numerous committees and helped establish and support outreach programs including the 301 Dance Club, Friday Focus lunches and Tuesday Morning Prayer Breakfast.

Her family is grateful for the loving and professional care provided by Answered Prayer Home Care and SouthernCare Hospice Services.

Active and honorary pallbearers will include: Philip J. Pearson, Price H. Pearson, WIlliam J. Burris, W. Hartley Pearson, William P. Pearson, Ricardo A. Price, A. Michael Price, Charles M. Atkins, and Patrick V. Atkins.

A family and friends gathering for Gwen will be held Friday, January 19, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Leak Memory Chapel, 945 Lincoln Rd, Montgomery, Alabama 36109, followed by a celebration of life chapel service at 2:00 PM with burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery with Bishop Lawson Bryan officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gwen's memory may be made to MACOA/ Montgomery Area Council on Aging, https://mowmama.org or the charity of your choice.