Mary Lou Pearson

Mary Lou Pearson was born in Reading, Kansas on April 10, 1939, and passed away peacefully in her home in Neosho Rapids, Kansas on January 5, 2024.

She was predeceased by her parents: Clarence E. Jones, Pearl Loomis Jones; Sisters: Arlene Jones, Naomi Ruth Jones, Dorothy Walker, Patricia Burgess; and Brother: Clarence E. Jones, Jr.

She attended Reading Union School House and graduated from Reading High School.

Mary Lou earned a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in education from Emporia State Teacher’s College (now Emporia State University), where she was also a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.

Mary Lou married Ronald P. Cowan, Jr. in 1959 and divorced in 1992.

She married Donald Pearson in 1998, and they traveled together to Hawaii, Alaska, Panama, Ireland and the Rose Bowl Parade.

She leaves behind a faithful and devoted husband, Donald Pearson; her sister, Carol Reneau; three children and their spouses: Jacquelyn Lou Booth (Bobby), Jeffery Ronald Cowan (Cassie), and Jennifer Lea Chase (David); three stepchildren: Bruce Pearson (Cathy), Jay Pearson (Jean), and Sherri Hayes, and many grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

She was “Grandma Lou” to 10 grandkids: Michelle, Kenzie, Dalton, Bryce, Madeline, Emily, Reid, Riley, Isabelle and Lydia, and three great-grandchildren: Nicolas, Carlos, and Elena. She was “Grandma” to nine step-grandchildren and 13 step great-grandchildren.  She was “Granny Lou” to many students and faculty at Emporia State University.

Mary Lou served as a public-school teacher school in Lyndon, Topeka, Olpe, Hartford, and Neosho Rapids.

She was a founding teacher of Shawnee Country Day School (Topeka Collegiate); President of Cedar Crest Country Club (Topeka); President of Washburn Rural High School Booster Club; Founder and Coordinator of WRHS “Y Not Bash” 1980’s After Prom Parties; Middle School Coach of football, basketball, and soccer; Member of Neosho Rapids Lyon’s Club; faithful fan and spectator at Emporia State football and soccer games, and Fort Hayes State University Golf.  She loved her children and grandkids’ sports and activities.  She was the Organ and Piano Player at Neosho Rapids Memorial UMC and Coordinator of Vacation Bible School at Brookwood Covenant Church (Topeka) and Neosho Rapids Memorial UMC.

Mary Lou was a church member at Countryside UMC (Topeka), Brookwood Covenant Church (Topeka), and Neosho Rapids Memorial UMC. She also helped to lead the UMW in Neosho Rapids.

She was gifted in hospitality, and served her family by hosting annual family reunions, and large family and community gatherings - her motto was “the more, the merrier, and please bring a side dish to share."

If a friend or family member was in need, Mary Lou was the gal to call.  She prepared and delivered food to friends, neighbors, and family members in need.  She was also the lady to contact when there was a need to coordinate a funeral dinner or special celebration at church. Mary Lou was in her sweet spot while leading the charge to serve others and feed a crowd.

There was always room at her dinner table for “more” guests.

Mary Lou loved bowling, gardening, and landscaping; her flower and vegetable gardens were always flourishing.  She would generally hand her kids, grandkids, or neighbor kids a shovel to help out with the planting, cultivating and harvesting. She loved “teaching” while working alongside her kids and grandkids.

She taught her kids and grandkids the value of hard work and determination to do their very best with any job they’d been given.

Mary Lou lived her life with a contagious sense of humor and invited others to join in laughing at themselves and not taking life too seriously.

She raised her family in church and faithfully sponsored her grandkids’ school fundraisers and mission trips.

Mary Lou’s sacrificial love and service was spread among her family, friends, church, and community. She would say, “It doesn’t feel like work, when you are serving others.”

She gifted everyone with her living testimony and example of an unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a lifelong dedication to her family, and faithful service to her church and community.

Mary Lou’s life was filled with meaning and her legacy will impact generations to come.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30am on Saturday January 13th at First United Methodist Church in Emporia, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9:30am-11:30am.  A private family graveside service will be held later at Union Cemetery in Reading, Kansas.

Any memorial gifts may be given in honor of Mary Lou Pearson to the Neosho Rapids Memorial UMC Women of Faith Ministry. Contributions may be sent through Roberts Blue Barnett Funeral Home: PO Box 175, Emporia, KS 66801. They are overseeing funeral arrangements.