Esbert Pearson

Gaffney, SC - Charles Esbert Pearson, 78, of 233 Christopher Road, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Born in Gaffney, he was the loving husband of Doris Frye Pearson for 54 years, whom he called, "Precious" and the son of the late Charles Amos Pearson and Annie Mae Peterson Pearson Best. He was a 1967 graduate of Gaffney High School, where he was well known for his athletic accomplishments in football and track. He served in the United States Army from April, 1969 until December 1973, where he was ranked as Sergeant E-5, Military Police in the North/South Zone in Korea and he did his basic training at Fort Bragg, NC. He served in the National Guard Army in Gaffney from 1973-1976, was a member of the American Legion Post 3447 and served as Post Commander from 2008-2009. He also coached Little League Football and Baseball and inducted into the Hall of Fame from Cherokee County Recreation District in 2019. Mr. Pearson was a member of Corinth Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife, also surviving two daughters, Wanda P. Blackwell (Ronnie) and Erin K. McAbee (Duck), both of Gaffney; a son, Charles Ashley Pearson of Gaffney; seven grandchildren, Spencer Blackwell, Beau McAbee, Lauren Jackson (Dustin), Taylor Pearson, Evan Pearson (Carissa), Hope Painter (Cody) and Josh Blackwell (Katlyn); eight great-grandchildren, Gabriel Jackson, Liam Jackson, Addie Jackson, Alivia Jackson, Lydia Pearson, Hadleigh Pearson, Wesley Painter and Jessie Painter; a sister, Donna Davis (Jim) of Myrtle Beach; a brother, Dennis Wayne Pearson of Kings Mountain; several nieces and nephews; and his furbaby, Callie, aka, Beau. Mr. Pearson was preceded in death by two sisters, Annette P. Waters and Sharon Caldwell.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 2:30PM until 4:00PM at Corinth Baptist Church. Funeral services with military honors will immediately follow at 4:00PM at the church with Reverend Duck McAbee and Dr. Steven Owensby officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Corinth Baptist Church, 190 Corinth Road, Gaffney, SC, 29340 or Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC, 29303 or The Charles George Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC, 28805.

The family will be at the residence.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC