Jeanette (Pickens) Pearson

Jeanette Pearson, age 83, was born on December 3, 1939 and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 27, 2023. Jeanette was the daughter of the late Nolan and Bessie Jernigan Pickens. She graduated from Randolph High School in 1957 and was known by her classmates as an exceptional intellect and a scrappy basketball player. Her first job was picking cotton as a teenager. She attended Itawamba Junior College and completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The University of Mississippi after only 3 years of study. She later earned a master’s degree from Ole Miss and a certification in gifted education. After college, she worked at the Mississippi Baptist Building in Jackson for a year before beginning her teaching career in Meridian, Mississippi. She later taught in Memphis, Tennessee, at North Pontotoc, and completed her 30-year teaching career at South Pontotoc Attendance Center teaching gifted and talented students. She enjoyed sharing countless fond memories of former students and was delighted to see them years after their graduation and hear about their life success stories.

She met the love of her life, Joe Pearson, and married after a 3-month courtship. Together they enjoyed many adventures with travel, good food, and treasured friendships. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, daughters, Jenae (Milfy) Weeks of Pontotoc County, Julie (Jason) Floyd of Weakley County, Tennessee. She is also survived by six grandchildren who cherish their “Gran” including Jonathan Weeks, Alaina Weeks, Garrett Weeks, Tanner Floyd, Landon Floyd, and Cannon Floyd. When she would talk about her grandchildren, her face would light up with her room-brightening smile. She is also survived by a sister, Hazel Pickens, and sister-in-law Shirley McGregor and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jeanette was a faithful member of West Heights Baptist Church and the Grace Sunday School class. Through the years she assisted with many bereavement meals, taught Sunday School classes, served as church clerk, and assisted in Vacation Bible Schools. Jeanette loved the Lord and was saved at the age of 14. She had a servant’s heart and was always caring for others. She lived to serve every day and many lives are better because of it. She was at her happiest when her dining room table was filled with family and laughter.

She was a member of the Pontotoc Music Study Club for over 30 years enjoying club meetings and the fellowship. She loved music, enjoyed countless symphonies, recitals, worship songs, and hymns.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings Wylie Pickens, Garvis Pickens, and John Lee Pickens.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 PM Sunday, January 29, 2023. with a celebration of life service at 3:00 PM at West Heights Baptist Church with Dr. David Hamilton officiating. The pallbearers will be her grandsons and sons-in-law. The family wishes any memorial contributions be made to West Heights Baptist Chuch, 328 West Oxford Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863.

Online condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com.