Margaret Lee Pearson

Margaret found giving to be the joy in her life, often stating “if I can help somebody along the way, then my living shall not be in vain”. She started serving at the age of 10 as a talented pianist and director for church choirs and groups in and around D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Along with working 36 years as an Administrator for the U.S. Postal Service and raising her son as a single parent, she served as pianist for numerous churches for over 45 years, until a 1990 brain surgery to remove an abscess, paralyzed the left side of her body, robbing her of her ability to play the piano any longer.

Margaret, however, would not let this newfound disability stop her from giving of herself to others. She worked and fought to learn to walk and function, using only her right hand. She started to give to children, serving as a substitute teacher in Maryland’s public school system. She substituted as a teacher in multiple Maryland schools, however, her love for the children, her gift of teaching, and her firm demand for discipline were noticed by Principals and desperately needed in schools. She was soon elevated from substitute teacher to full-time teacher status. She served for more than 11 years as a full-time teacher until three knee replacement surgeries forced her to stop teaching.

Though her ability to move slowed her down and the use of her hands was limited, Margaret’s determination and desire for giving never yielded. She continued to give her love, guidance, counsel, and instruction to her son, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, adopted daughters, Godchildren, friends, and family, as well as anyone else that was fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of her giving. Margaret’s life is an example of never giving up and overcoming obstacles in order to give of one’s self to help others.

Margaret is survived by one son, Derrick (Lamar) Pearson; two grandchildren Shakina (Dawud) Rawlings and Shari Pearson; two great-grandchildren Dawud Rawlings II and Amena Rawlings; two godsons Marcus and Darrel White; one brother Bernard Fields; two sisters, Geraldine Bryant and Ann (Charles) Talbert; two nephews, Eric (Mia) Talbert and Pernell Addison; two nieces Amari Cheryl Fields-Pearson and Monica (Stephan) Terry ; and her two adopted daughters; Tori Wanzer and Deborah Johnson and countless friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests monetary donations be made to Margaret Pearson at Cashapp $MargaretLeePearson, PayPal [email protected], or to the Margaret L. Pearson Scholarship Fund at www.jirehsplace.com