Verna Pearson

Verna was born April 2, 1921 in Buffalo, New York. Her parents were Oliver F. Mook and Grace Mohr Mook. At age 5, Verna and her mother moved to Sebring, FL, as the cold winters were hard on her health. They lived there until Verna finished elementary school. Then the family moved to Miami, Florida and resided in an area known as “Edison Center”. It was in junior high that Verna met Basil “Red” Stewart, and they were sweethearts until they married in 1943. Verna graduated from Miami Edison High School, where she was a proud member of the Cadets. She went on to graduate from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree. After Verna and Basil married, and while he served overseas in WW II, Verna taught first grade at Morningside Elementary in Miami, an experience she cherished. When they lived in Edison Center, Verna and Basil were active members of Stanton Memorial Baptist Church, where they formed life long friendships. Verna loved to sing in the choir and was often a soloist on Sundays and for special occasions like weddings. She even sang on a local radio show from time to time!

After Verna and Basil started their family, she became a full time mother and homemaker. They moved to Miami Shores, where they reared their three children Linda, Martha and Dale. Verna was involved in the lives of her children, always active as a Room Mother, serving as the President of the PTA, participating, organizing, and heading up the annual school Carnival, as well as chauffeuring her children on field trips and to other outside activities. She was her children’s greatest cheerleader, supporting them in their athletic, academic and social endeavors.

For many years, the Stewarts were members of Miami Shores Baptist Church, where, again, Verna sang in the choir and also led the children’s choir. Verna had great leadership and administrative abilities that she put to use in every aspect of her life. In the church, she was president of the Women’s Missionary Union, taught Sunday School, directed Vacation Bible School, and served in many behind the scenes capacities. Verna and Basil both professed a sincere faith in Christ Jesus and taught their children, through the truth of scripture, and by their example, the foundations of the Christian faith.

Verna had a heart for people, and loved to be involved in community volunteer work, especially as her children got older and began to “leave the nest”, and after Basil passed away suddenly in 1976. Verna was a member of the Soroptomist Club in Miami for more than 20 years. The club’s primary project was operating Bay Oaks, a retirement home. Verna was active in fund raising, but most enjoyed the hands on work - conducting craft classes, playing the piano at sing-a-longs, visiting with residents, planning social events. Verna even served as the interim director for a period of time and ran the whole operation! In 1991, Verna received the Unsung Heroines Award from the City of Miami Commission on the Status of Women for her service at Bay Oaks Home for the Aged.

Also special to Verna was her work with the University of Miami Women’s Cancer Association. She served for many years with this organization, and in many capacities, eventually becoming the president. In 1990 she received the University of Miami School of Medicine Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Very dear to Verna’s heart was the P.E.O. sisterhood, with which she was associated in Miami, Cocoa Beach, and Melbourne. She often spoke about how much it meant to be affiliated with this group of ladies. No matter where she lived, they became a loving source of support for her, always reaching out in friendship, especially in times of need.

In 1990, Verna married Dr. C. Dade Pearson, and soon after they moved to Cocoa Beach, FL, where they lived for 15 years. Verna and Dade enjoyed these years living between Florida and Verna’s mountain house in Hendersonville, NC. Verna loved to travel and she and Dade went on many cruises and traveled overseas as well as throughout the United States.

Continuing her devotion of service to others, Verna and Dade became active in Cummings Memorial United Methodist Church in Horseshoe, NC. While there, they developed many close friendships, always anticipating their weekly outings with the “Lunch Bunch.“ During her years at Cummings Memorial, Verna sang in the choir, helped in the library, and was involved in their fund raising efforts for missions, working in “God’s Little Acre” growing and harvesting tomatoes, helping in the pumpkin patch, and providing baked goods and jellies for their rummage sales. She and Dade looked forward to participating in the annual Hendersonville Hunger Walk, and actively supported local food banks and ecumenical outreach programs.

Verna and Basil’s “Mountain House”, which they purchased in 1972, played an important part in the lives of her children and especially her grandchildren. Verna and Basil used to vacation in Hendersonville at Laurel Park Inn when their children were little, and the whole family fell in love with the North Carolina Mountains. Verna’s children and grandchildren spent many weeks together over the years making memories at the Mountain House…hiking, baking, canning jellies, making pickles, “rolling” down the hill, wheelbarrow racing, gardening, and for the girls, outlet shopping!!! Many hours were spent rocking on the front porch, talking, reminiscing, reading, and laughing. It was the favorite family gathering place. Everyone loved being at the Mountain House, but most of all, they loved being there with Verna.

In 2005 Verna and Dade moved to The Fountains Retirement Community in Melbourne, FL, where they fully participated in “The Art of Living Well”. She and Dade both enjoyed the many activities offered by the Fountains and were pleased they had decided to move there. The residents and staff became extended family to them, and they made their last years rewarding.

During her last year of life, Verna experienced many challenges with her health. Through it all, she never gave up. She was a fighter and did her best to recover from every set-back. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, strength and dignity were her clothing and she smiled at the future. On Wednesday, October 13, 2010, Verna passed peacefully from earthly life to heavenly life, in the arms of her savior, the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Verna left a legacy of faith, hope, love, and service. She used her strong leadership abilities and talents to guide and care for others. She built a strong family, which was her top priority. Verna was an encourager and she always maintained a positive outlook on life. She knew how to persevere through difficult circumstances, and she taught us to “always look on the bright side.” Verna never gave up on life or on people.

She is survived by many loving friends and family members. Her children: Linda Stewart Hogue (Jim), Dowell, MD, Martha Stewart Gillum (Larry), DeBary, FL, Marta Stewart Trueax (William), Midland, GA. Grandchildren: Reid Wyatt Sims (Jane) Chelsea, AL, Melissa Kolsch Jones (Herb), Gainesville, FL, Elizabeth Kolsch, Merritt Island, FL, Stewart Kolsch, Merritt Island, FL, Dane Oliver Stewart (Virginia) Miami, FL, Kyle Manly Dale Stewart, Midland, GA, Christian Trueax, Midland, GA,. Great Grandchildren: Hannah Jones, Natalie Jones, Jasmine Stewart. Brother: Frederick Mook (Mary), West Palm Beach, FL, and their daughter, Megan Mook, New York, NY.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying neither shall there be any more pain…” Revelation 21:4

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27