Mrs. Clara Mae Pearson

Mrs. Clara Mae (Whatley) Pearson was called to eternal glory in Christ on August 31, 2025. She was born on January 24, 1927, in Floyd County, Kentucky, the youngest of twelve children born to the late Robert and Ruby Turner Whatley. The Whatley family moved to Wayland, Kentucky, in the mid-to-late 1920s, and later settled in Pikeville, Kentucky. Clara attended school in both Wayland and Pikeville, graduating from Pikeville High School in 1946. She accepted Christ at a young age and became a member of a church in Wayland before later joining Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Pikeville, where she faithfully served prior to relocating to Cleveland, Ohio. On April 27, 1957, Clara married the love of her life, John Lee Pearson. The couple later moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where they raised their family of four children. In Kansas City, Clara joined Rescue Baptist Church, where she served as a Mother of the Church. On days she was unable to attend in person, she would turn on gospel music and listen to sermons on the radio. Clara also worked many years at the Jewish Geriatric & Convalescent Center, retiring in 1992. Clara loved her family deeply and embraced her role as the matriarch. She enjoyed cooking, tending to her flowers, and ensuring her children learned the value of preparing meals with love. She encouraged her children to excel in their education and was known for her kindness, cheerful spirit, and warm smile that greeted everyone who passed her home. In addition to her beloved husband of more than 49 years, Clara was preceded in death by all of her siblings: Lucinda, Robert Lee, Katie, Mary, Lillie, Sharper, Viola, John, Sam, Ruby, and Frank. She leaves to cherish her memory four children: two sons, Willie Charles Pearson (Lynn) of Lathrup Village, Michigan; and John Lee Pearson Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri; two daughters, Jacqueline Pearson; and Tamika Pearson of Kansas City, Missouri; two grandsons, Christopher; and Alexander of Lathrup Village, Michigan; three granddaughters, Dominique; Te'Lor; and Jonai; four great-grandsons, Jadon; Jordan; Trae; and Zayvion; all of Kansas City, Missouri; as well as a host of devoted nieces; nephews; and friends. Clara Mae Pearson will be dearly missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday September 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel 1800 East Linwood Blvd. KCMO 64109. Interment: Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation: 10 – 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapels. Condolences may be shared on our website lawrenceajones.com.