Patricia Ann Pearson

Born March 31, 1944 in East St. Louis to Carl Brown and Onie Bell (Coleman) Hankins, she married Paul Allen Pearson on June 11, 1967 in Collinsville. He died September 26, 2023 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one sister; three brothers and an infant brother.

Surviving are two sons, P. Allen Pearson, II of Elgin and David M. (Jada) Pearson of Beaverton, Oregon; one daughter, Amanda G. (Nathan) Kluender of Bloomington; five grandchildren, Charlotte, Ellen, Noah, Phoebe and Trey Pearson; one sister, Sue Hale of Maryville. She also leaves a brother-in-law, Gary A. (Sandi) Pearson of Rockford and two sisters-in-law, Janice Lindquist of Ft. Myers, Florida and Jackie Hankins of Manchester, Missouri.

A 1962 graduate of Collinsville High School, Pat graduated in 1966 from Illinois State University with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She then graduated with her Master of Science Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University in 1968.

Pat began her teaching career in Granite City and then in DeKalb. Upon moving to Pekin, she was a literacy paraprofessional for Pekin Public Schools District 108 and then worked in the library at Pekin Community High School. She last worked at the Pekin YWCA as the Literacy Director for 15 years.

She was an avid reader.

Pat was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, Miriam Circle and YAM (Young Adult Methodists) Adult Sunday School Class, all at the church. She also served with Grace Café & Food Pantry.

Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin. Pastor Eric N. Swanson will officiate. There will be no visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to Grace United Methodist Church, 601 North 4th Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554 or to the Salvation Army, 243 Derby Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com