Funeral services for Minister Willie Frank “Deda” Pearson Sr. were held Feb. 1, 2009, at Nelson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church with Minister Darryl Green officiating.

Interment followed at Swanswall Cemetery with Gregory Aikens Jr., J.D. Hopkins Jr., Paul Pearson Jr., Patrick Neal, Chester Neal Jr. and Wallace C. Pearson serving as active pallbearers.

Born Jan. 22, 1940, in Brinson, Ga., Mr. Pearson died on Jan. 27, 2009, at his residence. He was a member of Swanswall Missionary Baptist Church in Brinson. Later in his life, he became a Pentecostal minister. He graduated from Hutto High School in 1959 and worked for Elberta Crate and Box, United Plastic and Shaw Industries during his life.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Ann Henry Pearson; four brothers, Freddie Pearson, Paul Pearson, Harold Pearson and Wallace Pearson Sr., all of Bainbridge; four daughters, Brenda Pearson of Donalsonville, Ga., Tabitha Williams of Roselle, N.J., Tess Ann Pearson of Bainbridge and Lillie Ann Reels of Cyrene, Ga.; two sons, Willie Frank Pearson Jr. of Fort Lewis, Wash., and Anthony Pearson of New York, N.Y.; a special friend, Rosa Scott; special children he raised, Michael Wimberly and Carolyn Bouie; 21 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services were handled by Bruton Mortuary.