Jean Pearson

Jean Carolyn (Thomlinson) Pearson, age 83, died peacefully surrounded by family on February 1, 2026. Jean was born on June 15, 1942, in Springfield, Missouri. Her father died when Jean was two years old. Her mother worked two jobs to provide for Jean and her two brothers, and Jean took on many household responsibilities at a young age. She married her high school sweetheart, Gary Wayne Pearson, on February 10, 1961 in Springfield. She was a graduate of Hillcrest High School.

Jean worked primarily in administrative roles during her career, including as a secretary, customer service, and data entry. Jean also served alongside Gary as a pastor’s wife at churches in Missouri in Cowgill, Kansas City, Claycomo, and Butler. She and Gary moved to San Francisco in 1991. Gary served as a professor at the former Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and Jean worked at General Electric. Gary and Jean’s years in the Bay Area were like an extended honeymoon where each day bought new experiences for them to share. Jean co-taught a class with Gary that helped seminary students and their spouses develop healthy relationships and prepare for shared ministry. Jean returned to Missouri when Gary died in 2004.

Jean loved singing in church choir, doing puzzles, traveling, going out to eat, talking on the phone with friends, and Royals baseball. In her later years she never missed watching a Royals game. She enjoyed playing bingo with friends at Claycomo Baptist Church senior gatherings, and she previously volunteered at Hillcrest Hope Thrift Store and Liberty Hospital. One of her favorite activities was talking about her sons, their wives, and her six grandchildren.

She is proceded in death by her husband Gary. Her father, Virgil Thomlinson, her mother, Bessie Fenley Thomlinson, her two brothers, Harold Thomlinson and Kenneth Thomlinson.

She is survived by her sons, David Wayne Pearson of Nixa, MO, and his wife Kelly (Jackman) Pearson, and Daniel Ray Winholtz Pearson of Independence, MO, and his wife Kristina Lee Winholtz Pearson; David’s children Erin Elizabeth Pearson, Allison René Pearson, and Emily Nicole Pearson all of Springfield, MO, and Dan’s children Skyler Blue Pearson, Grace Alice Pearson, and Joseph Gary Pearson all of the Kansas City area.

Visitation is at 10:00am on February 6, 2026 at Park Lawn Northland Chapel 1640 Route 291 Highway, Liberty, MO 64068 followed by her funeral service at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Glenridge Cemetery, Liberty, MO