Sandra J. Pearson

Deacon Sandra J. Pearson was born December 11, 1959 to Arletha Pearson and Roosevelt Tate in Wyatt, Missouri and was the fifth of ten children. Deacon Pearson received her formal education from Wyatt Public and Charleston Public School Systems. In 1976, she relocated to East Chicago Heights, Illinois and attended Bloom Trail High School. She later attended University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and Prairie State College. Deacon Pearson was employed as a Case Manager and Housing Counselor at CEDA in all of Cook County, for 35 years. She also was employed by Regis Inventory Company and Sterk’s Grocery Store. Deacon Pearson was a member of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Missouri. She later became a member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Ellis Franklin, Jr. In 2011, she became a member of Sounds of Praise Evangelistic Ministries under the leadership of her nephew, Bishop Lance Lanal Jefferson, where she was ordained as a Deacon. In 2013, she joined her family as a member of Pentecostal Church of Christ Cathedral under the leadership of Bishop Gregory St. James Dillard and Overseer Robin Dillard, where she served as a Member of the Deacons Board. Deacon Pearson was the Charter Member and Associate Matron of Pistis Chapter #734, Charter Member of Most Worthy Faith Grand Chapter, Member of Divas and Dons Social Club and served as Secretary and Treasurer of South Suburban Council on Homelessness. Deacon Pearson loved her family, especially her nieces and nephews. She also loved reading, traveling, shopping and having fun. Deacon Pearson was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, one niece, three nephews and one brother-in-law. Deacon Sandra J. Pearson is survived by seven sisters: Doris Obilor, Betty Williams, Lady Belinda (Pastor Ellis) Franklin, Steward Veronica Pearson, Deacon Cynthia Benson-Jefferson, Karen Benson and Althea Benson; two brothers: Kenneth Benson and Robert (Alycia) Benson; eight nieces, five nephews; a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews, family and friends and her adopted siblings: Sharon (Dave) Hicks-Bartlett, Ph.D., Bishop Gregory St. James Dillard, Overseer Robin Dillard, Elder-Designate Yvonne Taylor, Elder-Designate Shelia (Elder Duane) Bennett, Deacon Mellony McDonald and Mary “Dee Dee”(Wallace) Bennett.

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Sandra J. Pearson

December 11, 1959 - May 20, 2016