Doyle J Pearson

Doyle J. Pearson, age 95, of Jackson, MS, passed away May 4, 2023 at Baptist Hospital. Visitation will be Monday May 8, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. with service at 1:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Home, Ridgeland, MS. Burial will follow immediately at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

Doyle was born on December 4, 1927 to Hazel and Eugene Pearson. He had exceptional gardening and landscaping skills, a love of nature, an exemplary work ethic, was an excellent cook, had a successful career in the tire business and had a great gift for conversation. He loved his wife Thelma, and daughters Sherry and Cindy, dearly – always faithful and willing to go to the ends of the earth for them.

Doyle grew up in Montgomery County where he was a high school basketball star and team captain at Kilmichael High School. In recent years, he really enjoyed following both MS State and Ole Miss on TV, especially the girls’ teams. He also had a great love of country and gospel music. He even sang lead and played guitar in a band in his high school and college days.

He met his sweetheart and eventual wife of 72 years, Thelma Black, in high school. They married in May of 1948, and shortly after that he served 4 years in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

He returned home from the military and had a few years in real estate sales, but eventually landed in what would become a 50+ year career in the tire industry, serving large commercial trucking accounts and construction companies. He began with Wilkinson 555, and worked with Tire Service, Inc., and eventually retired from Southern Tire Mart, winning numerous distinguishing sales awards along the way, until his retirement at age 78. Doyle never met a stranger and could always walk into a room and know someone.

Doyle had a deep love for his Lord, and his family, and embodied 1 Thessalonians 4:11 making it his goal to live a quiet life, minding his own business, and working with his hands. He and Thelma raised their girls in a Christian home, being faithful members of Oak Forest Baptist Church many years, and then in their more senior years at Colonial Heights Baptist Church.

Doyle is survived by his two daughters, Sherry Pearson Stegall (Deryll) of Ridgeland and Cindy Pearson Price (Mark) of Brandon; four grandchildren, Philip Carter (Shea), Jeff Price (Anna), Kim Price Alford (Davis), Carly Stegall Yelverton, and five great-grandchildren, Caroline Price, Luke Price, Elizabeth Alford, Lucy Yelverton and Sybil Yelverton. He is also survived by his sister, Mildred “Boots” Ellis (Leon) of Louisville, and two nephews.

Doyle was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma, his parents, and his sister Mavis Devine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry at Colonial Heights Baptist Church.