Lydia Pearson

Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Lydia was the daughter of Haywood Nobles Spain and Louise Spain. She grew up and attended school in Grantham, NC, and continued her studies by pursuing a nursing (RN) degree from the Watts School of Nursing in Durham, NC. Later in her career, Lydia attended UNC Chapel Hill, where she obtained her Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree. Throughout her career she worked at various hospitals, but working alongside her husband, Dr. John Kent Pearson, at his practice in Apex, was most rewarding for her. After he retired, she worked at Wake Med and then ended her career at Glenaire Residential Community in Cary, NC.

Lydia loved to read, go to the beach, collect shells, and spend time with her husband and family. Additionally, Lydia became a Master Gardener and spent hours outside tending to her perennial garden.

She is survived by her brother, George Spain of Goldsboro, NC; by her two children Kathryne (Kathy) Smith of Fort Mill, SC and Summer Smith of Carrboro, NC; three step children, John Kent Pearson Jr., Diane Gill and husband David, and Sarah Rives and husband Wayne; one grandchild Leah Smith, six step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W Williams Street, Apex, NC. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Inurnment will follow at Apex Cemetery.

Lydia had a passion for helping others. She was a caregiver at heart, and will be most remembered for serving her community with care and compassion.

The family would like to extend their gratitude for the care she received from the staff at The Sanctuary in Pineville, NC, a residential memory care facility, and from Hospice.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be offered to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or by clicking the following link:

www.alz.org

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