Mr. Joseph “Joe” Franklin Pearson, age 68, husband of Terry Pearson, and a resident of Pulaski Highway in Columbia, went to his eternal home on Wednesday morning, August 30, 2017 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 3, 2017 at 3PM at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Chip Hunter officiating. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 4-8PM at Heritage Funeral Home and again on Sunday from 2-3PM in the Atrium at the church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joe was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 17, 1948 to Eldon Andrew and Ruth Woods Pearson. He was raised in Morristown, TN and always referred to East Tennessee as “God’s Country.” Joe was a 1966 graduate of Morristown-Hamblin East High School and served his country in the United States Army from 1968-1971. He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Animal Science. He has worked for the Tennessee Farm Bureau for forty-one years, where he currently presided as Chief Administrative Officer, and called everyone there his family. Joe was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he served on many committees and was a member of the Columbia Kiwanis Club. He also served in many capacities throughout the community, state, and the University of Tennessee.
Joe loved the Lord and his family. His motto in life was “faith, family, and Farm Bureau.” He was known for his big smile and hugs. He made an impact on every person that he met, whether it be through sharing his love for the Lord, or sharing his love for a meal. He will be missed more than words.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of forty-seven years, Terry Moore Pearson; two loving daughters: Jennifer Hope (Chet Allen) Pearson of Memphis, Jessica Faith Pearson of Chattanooga; his precious grandson, Joseph “Joe” Glenn Allen; brother, Andrew Woods Pearson of Chattanooga; many loving cousins, and special friends: Julius, Karen, and Matthew Johnson and Mary Lettiere.
Honorary pallbearers will include: Julius Johnson, Joe Howard, Don Britton, David Coats, “The Old Amigos:” Pettus Read, Charles Curtis, and Bobby Beets, The staff of Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, and members of Friendship Bible Sunday School Class and Faith Movers Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Ag in the Classroom: http://www.tnfarmbureau.org/aitcdonation, Columbia First United Methodist Church: 222 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401, or the Maury County Boys and Girls Club: 210 West 8th Street, Columbia, TN 38401.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to Maury Regional Medical Center and Vanderbilt Cardiac ICU for their excellent care and compassionate service.
