Phyllis Mims Pearson passed through the heavenly gates on Thursday, July 3rd. The daughter of the late Fred Pete Mims and Ann Berry Moore Mims was born on August 27th, 1948 in Florence, South Carolina. She was a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and practiced the Presbyterian faith throughout her life. She was a member of the Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, Johns Creek, Georgia, serving on the Worship Committee and leading the Communion Preparation Team.
She married Vernon Patrick Pearson in March of 1979 in Greenville, South Carolina, and although she had no children of her own, she was the stepmother to Andrew Garrett Pearson (Melbourne, Florida) and Jennifer Caroline Pearson Skovran (Fort Mill, South Carolina) and had an incredibly positive influence on their lives. She was a Step-Grandmother to Lilah and Emma Skovran (both of Fort Mill, South Carolina). Phyllis is survived by her sisters, Sandra Spears of Salisbury, North Carolina, and Wanda Brown of Greenwood, South Carolina. She is predeceased by her sister Karen Keels, Timmonsville, South Carolina, and brother, Pete Mims, also of Timmonsville. She is survived by her niece, Allison Mims Constantino of Simpsonville, South Carolina, nephews Bryan Mims of Grayson, Georgia, Scot Brown of Charleston, South Carolina, and Brad Keels of Timmonsville, South Carolina. She is predeceased by Lang Keels, a nephew. She also had several other great-nephews and nieces, plus many cousins.
She attended public schools both elementary and high school in Timmonsville, South Carolina. She received an associate degree from Anderson Junior College (Anderson, South Carolina), then continued her education at Winthrop University (Rock Hill, South Carolina) graduating with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She also received a master's degree in education and a degree for graduate studies as an Education Specialist both from the University of South Carolina.
Phyllis taught for 42 years as a Title IX remedial reading teacher in 3 different states and school systems. She retired from the DeKalb County School District in 2013. Although most of her teaching career was spent in the classroom, she also served as the Assistant Principal of Greenview Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina before moving with her husband to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1990.
While at Greenview Elementary, she developed the “JAAGS (Just All Around Good Student) program to promote and improve regular attendance and academic achievement among the students.
Phyllis was elected and served as the Student Body President, during her senior year of high school. She was also honored as “Miss Timmonsville High” during that same year. During her teaching career, she was nominated twice as “Teacher of the Year” in two different school systems. As a scholar, she was awarded a prestigious James F. Brynes scholarship while attending college.
She was an accomplished athlete, playing basketball for both her high school and junior college girls’ teams, and was recognized as an “All Regional Player” during her high school years. She also enjoyed and excelled at tennis and golf.
She was an avid sports fan supporting her favorite team from the University of South Carolina, particularly the football team and women’s basketball team. She was a “USC Gamecock” through and through.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at the H.M. Patterson & Son - Arlington Chapel in Sandy Springs, 173 Allen Rd NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 on Wednesday, July 16th at 2PM, visitation at 1 PM. The Rev. Dr. C. Gray Norsworthy and Rev. George Strato, officiating. A graveside service will be held for family members and close friends at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Florence, South Carolina, on July 19th at 11 AM. The Reverend Brian Daoust, officiating.
The Pearson and Mims family would like to thank all the individuals who provided the much-needed care to Phyllis while she dealt with not only her dementia but also her Charcot-Marie-Tooth neurological disease. Notable among these individuals are Amanda Brown (Care Manager), Ashley Gaines (Nurse Practitioner), Shay, and Mila (Village Park/Alpharetta Memory Care Center).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
