| Sources |
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 22 Dec 2011.
Octogenarian Reba Pearson could see 6 generations
By Melanie Tucker | (melt@thedailytimes.com)
When you’re 102, you’re not expected to keep on quilting, read every day, make your own bed or call all 52 family members by name, but Reba Marie Pearson certainly does.
This mother of five, who has 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren, turned 102 on Dec. 1. Next June she is expecting her first great-great-great-grandchild, which will complete six generations of her family.
Pearson was one of eight children born to Josephine White and William Hitson. She was born in Monroe County on Dec. 1, 1909 and moved to Alcoa when she was 12. She attended Bassel School. Her mother died when Pearson was only 11. Pearson’s father was shot over a land dispute when she was 3.
Her family, including granddaughter Samantha Elliott Rosen, gathered recently for Pearson’s birthday celebration. It was a time to honor a life that continues to nurture and teach.
“My grandmother worked all of her life and always cooked,” Rosen said. “She has also quilted and still does. She has kept busy.”
Pearson worked at McGhee Tyson Airport for Skychef (American Airlines) for 22 years and retired at 65. After she retired from Skychef she sat with elderly patients at both Asbury Acres and in homes. Because she was an airlines employee, Pearson got the chance to travel a lot, Rosen said. She has been to the Holy Lands and would take yearly trips to visit family in other parts of the country.
Rosen lived in Hawaii years ago and said she always looked forward to her grandmother coming for a visit.
Her faith in God, Rosen said, is what Pearson believes is responsible for her longevity. Keeping active and hard work were probably part of that too, Rosen said. Pearson is a charter member of Everett Hills Baptist Church and was able to attend until this past February when she came down with pneumonia. She used to make chicken and dumplings every month for her Tuesday Bible study group.
But even when Pearson was not in the best of health, she still did more than most. She had to go through physical therapy after her bout with pneumonia. Rosen said she would compete with the older patients in therapy to see who could do more.
“The therapists had to tell her to slow down,” Rosen said.
Gardening has been a passion for this octogenarian, and Rosen said despite losing her hearing, Pearson loves to read. She currently resides with her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Tom Berrong.
“She still gets around very well,” Rosen said. “She didn’t even start using a walker until she was 97. She mostly carried it around.”
When Pearson says her prayers at night, each family member is mentioned, by name, her granddaughter said. That is no easy feat for anyone with 52 family members, but she has always done that, Rosen said. The family includes Blount County Sheriff James Berrong, who is Pearson’s great-nephew.
Pearson is the last surviving child of her deceased parents. Two of her sons and a grandchild have also passed away.
Lenny, Rosen’s husband, feels grateful to be part of such a loving and caring family. He said Pearson has brought everyone together for holidays for years. “I have always credited her with keeping my in-laws together as a family because they would always say, ‘You have to show up at Thanksgiving or ‘You have to show up at Christmas because this might be grandma’s last Christmas.’ That has been going on for 20 years,” he said, laughing.
Rosen said you have to do whatever it takes to get a busy family to come together.
Pearson’s husband, Alonzo “Lon” Pearson passed away on March 2, 1965, before Rosen was born. She said she has been told by others that it’s been a good thing her grandmother has a great sense of humor. “I was told that was the only way she could have stay married to my Papaw.”
There are tons of precious memories with Pearson. Rosen said she remembers a scolding she got from her grandmother when she was a little girl. Rosen said she had hit another child in retaliation.
“You always told me to do unto others as they do unto me,” a young Rosen told her grandmother.
“She told me, ‘No, do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’” Rosen said her grandmother corrected.
Those teaching moments and all the rest are etched on Rosen’s heart as well as the heart of other family members Pearson has nurtured over the years.
“She is a beautiful lady,” Rosen said.
Inside and out.
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 12 Aug 2003.
Rev. William H. Pearson Sr. obituary
- [S112] Census, 1910.
Name: Rheaba Hitson
Birthplace: Tennessee
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Residence: Civil District 12, Monroe, Tennessee
Marital Status: Single
Race : White
Gender: Female
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Family Number: 135
Page Number: 7
Household Gender Age
Parent Will M Hitson M 49y
Parent Josia Hitson F 38y
Lena Hitson F 20y
Monroe Hitson M 17y
Calvin Hitson M 14y
Isaac Hitson M 8y
Susan Hitson F 6y
Willie L Hitson F 4y
Rheaba Hitson F y 5m
- [S112] Census, 1930.
Name: Reba M Pearson
Event: Census
Event Date: 1930
Event Place: Alcoa, Blount, Tennessee
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Birthplace: Tennessee
Estimated Birth Year: 1910
Immigration Year:
Relationship to Head of Household: Wife
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Enumeration District Number: 0014
Family Number: 237
Sheet Number and Letter: 12A
Line Number: 9
NARA Publication: T626, roll 2234
Film Number: 2341968
Digital Folder Number: 4548148
Image Number: 00450
Household Gender Age
Alonzoe J Pearson M 35
Reba M Pearson F 20
Ralph E Pearson M 3
William H Pearson M 0
- [S86] McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, (http://www.mccammonammonsclick.com/), 31 May 2013.
Reba Hitson Pearson
December 01, 1909 - May 31, 2013
Birthplace: Monroe County, TN
Resided In: Maryville TN USA
Visitation: June 03, 2013
Service: June 03, 2013
Cemetery: Grandview Cemetery
Reba Hitson Pearson went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, May 31, 2013. She was 103 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alonzo J. (Lon) Pearson; sons, Ralph Pearson, Reverend William (Bill) Pearson, and grandson, William H. (Billy) Pearson. She was the youngest of 8 children who also preceded her in death, 3 sisters and 4 brothers.
She is survived by her children, son, James E. (Jim) Pearson and his wife Bobbye Pearson; daughter, Nancy P. Berrong and her husband Thomas H. (Tom) Berrong; son, AJ Pearson and fiancé’ Susan Clark. Reba was blessed to see 6 generations of children. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 17 great-great grandchildren, and 2 great-great-great grandchildren.
Reba retired at age 65 from Skychef at McGee Tyson Airport where she prepared food for the airlines. After her retirement she went on to sit with the elderly both at Asbury Acres and in their homes during their time of need. She faithfully attended and was a charter member of Everett Hills Baptist Church. Heaven received more than an angel, they received a Saint. Reba was loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing or just meeting her. Reba’s legacy for everyone and favorite scripture is, Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Funeral services will be held 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2013, at McCammon-Ammons-Click Chapel with Rev. Dan Kelly and Cindy Sanderfur officiating. Family and friends will meet 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Grandview Cemetery for the interment, Dr. John Franklin officiating. The family will receive friends 6:00-7:00 pm Monday at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers family request family donations be made in Reba’s to Everett Hill Baptist Church, 401 South Everett High Road, Maryville, TN 37804 or Blount Memorial Hospice, 1095 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: William Hitson
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Age:
Spouse's Name: Josie White
Spouse's Birth Date:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Spouse's Age:
Event Date: 24 Jun 1888
Event Place: , Monroe, Tennessee
Father's Name:
Mother's Name:
Spouse's Father's Name:
Spouse's Mother's Name:
Race:
Marital Status:
Previous Wife's Name:
Spouse's Race:
Spouse's Marital Status:
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M51956-4
System Origin: Tennessee-VR
GS Film number: 956231
Reference ID: 2:14B61NG
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