Joyce G. “JP” Pearson passed away November 17, 2016 at Catawba Regional Hospice, after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She was surrounded by a loving family and close friends. Born January 25, 1942, in Salem, VA, she was the daughter of Helen Guthrie and the late Howard Guthrie. She was a graduate of Andrew Lewis High School, Class of 1960. She was very proficient in business class and was an administrative assistant to the senior partner of a large architectural and engineering firm in Roanoke and later to the President of Roanoke College. JP was the first runner up in the Miss Roanoke County Pageant in 1960 and modeled part time for local department stores, a national catalog, and TV commercials. In 1981, she married her present husband, moved to Hickory, NC and worked as an administrative assistant to the owner and president of Hickory Printing Group. She decided to continue her education and attended Catawba Community College where she graduated with honors with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. She enrolled at Gardner Webb University and graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She then obtained her NC real estate broker’s license and worked as a real estate broker for over twenty years until she retired. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 35 years, R.S. (Stan) Pearson, of the home; two sons, Reverend Lee Harris and wife, Carmen of Hampton, VA, Patrick Harris and wife, Summer of Hickory, NC; two sisters, Judy Elliston of Salem, VA, Pam Poe and husband, Mike of Salem, VA; two brothers, Rodney Guthrie and wife, Vickie of Salem, VA and Linwood Guthrie and wife, Jeannie of Delaware; three grandsons; a granddaughter; two stepsons; a stepdaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews. Joyce accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at the Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, VA when she was 12 years old, and she remained loyal to her church. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Sunday, November 20, 2016 in the Chapel of Hickory Funeral Home, with Rev. Homer Greene officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00-2:45 p.m. at Hickory Funeral Home. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Catawba County Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. Condolences may be sent to the Pearson family at www.hickoryfh.com. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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