Virginia Pearson

ATLANTA Virginia Stripling Pearson, 89, passed away Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, at Delmar Gardens, Smyrna, Ga.Born April 13, 1921 in Waycross, Ga., the daughter of Robert Jackson Stripling Sr. and Louise Howell Stripling, she was married to William Maddox Pearson, of Whitesville, Ga., who predeceased her in 1987.She is survived by her brother, Robert Jackson Stripling Jr. (Stella), of Greenville, S.C.; her sons, Robert Phillip Pearson (Dona Sue), of Scottsdale, Ariz., and William Jackson Pearson (Genevieve), of Atlanta; her nieces, Dawne Stripling Gannon, Columbia, S.C., Harriett Stripling Hunter, Tallahassee, Fla., and Virginia Stripling Smith, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; and by her grandchildren, Amanda Clark Pearson, of Istanbul, Turkey, Ens. Merritt Llewellyn Pearson, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Mary Genevieve Pearson, Atlanta.Mrs. Pearson and her husband, Bill, lived most of their lives together in Atlanta and Signal Mountain. They were married during World War II in Waycross, Ga., and served on a succession of U.S. Army bases in the western United States until the close of hostilities. They lived two periods in Atlanta and two in the Chattanooga area, for 14 years residing on Signal Mountain. During their initial Atlanta residence, they were members of Haygood United Methodist Church. After returning from Signal Mountain, they lived in Sandy Springs and became active at St. John United Methodist Church in Sandy Springs, particularly enjoying the fellowship of their Sunday School class and other friends from the church. Mrs. Pearson was an avid Bridge player throughout her life and cherished the many friendships that she made in those circles.In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Southeastern Guide Dogs, 4210 77th St. East, Palmetto, FL 34221, www.guidedogs.org, and its programs Paws for Patriots and Paws for Independence, or to St. John United Methodist Church, 550 Mt. Paran Road, Atlanta, GA 30327.The funeral service will be held on Monday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.Her family will receive friends at the same location from 10 until 11 a.m. that dayArrangements by H.M. Patterson & Son, Arlington Chapel, 404-851-9900.