Doris Jeanne Pearson, 93, of Beaumont, passed away Saturday, February, 28, 2015. She was born on October 1, 1921 in Raceland, Louisiana to Jeanne Gaudet Foret and Etienne Jean Foret.
She moved to Beaumont, Texas in 1937 and lived with her Aunt Rita and Uncle Raymond Waguespack, both now deceased.
When she met the love of her life, James “Red” Pearson, he told his mother that she was the woman he would dance with for the rest of his life. They were married on August 30, 1947 in St. Anne Catholic Church. They began their family in 1948 having six children. Their faith would lead them to have their children educated at St. Anne School in order to strengthen them in the ways of the Lord. She encouraged them to follow this path and two of her children would become teachers at St. Anne School and many of her grandchildren followed in the footsteps of their parents also attending St. Anne School. As a member of St. Anne Church for sixty-seven years, she was a part of the weekly adoration team and also the 49er’s Club. Her love of God, her family both in Texas and in the bayous of southern Louisiana, and poetry for ninety-three years, were her greatest joy.
For forty-five years her ultimate pleasure was doing for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren hoping to bring a smile to their faces. Even though her mother died when she was ten years old, she continued doing for others as her mother had done by always having coffee or tea with a pastry ready to serve them if they stopped by for a visit. This was a daily gift she gave to others along with her daily prayers, loving the Lord her God with all her heart. “When I was thirsty you gave me a drink; when I was hungry you gave me food to eat” Matt 25:35.
She worked as a volunteer at St. Elizabeth Hospital in many capacities donating her time for over twenty years.
Her husband and she opened Village Bowling Lanes as owner/proprietor in 1960 until it was sold in 1973.
She was a lifetime member of Beaumont Women’s Bowling Association (BWBA) and began bowling in 1957, and even had a job at Crossroads Bowling Lanes, until the age of ninety, supporting her bowling friends each week in the High Nooners League.
Survivors include her children, Beverly Garsee; Catherine Wilson, and her husband, Sammy; Marilyn Shadle; Tina Edgeworth; James Pearson, and his wife Linda; and Patrick Pearson, and his wife Melissa; sisters, Mildred Sapia Anderson and Nellie Hernandez; and twelve grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James “Red” Pearson, sisters, Gladys Anderson; Janie Mayet; and Julie Townsend; and brothers, Abbey Foret and Felix Foret.
A gathering of Mrs. Pearson’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with her Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 5, 2015, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Feed the Children, 333 N Meridian, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 42, Memphis, Tennessee 38148.
