Joann Pearson

Evangelist Joann Mack Nelson Pearson, 63, of Sumter, died Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter.

She was the wife of Willie L. Pearson and the late Willie B. Nelson.

She was born Dec. 19, 1943, in the Santee dam section of the Jordan community, a daughter of the late Rose Mack and the Rev. John Dupree Sr. She attended the public schools of Clarendon County. She accepted Christ as her Savior and joined Society Hill AME Church and later Mercy and Kindness Non-Denominational Church, where she served faithfully. She worshipped through music, singing with the Dixon Family for eight years and for 33 years with the Nightingales of Sumter.

Survivors include three sons, Joseph (Virginia) Mack of Sarasota, Fla., Leroy Mack of Manning and Wilson (Beverly) Nelson of Sumter; two daughters, Marie Mack of Wedgefield and Olivia (George) Brock of Sumter; one adopted daughter, Sarah Dwyer of Sumter; nine stepchildren, Virginia A. Jackson, Carrie (Nosiby) Hilton, Roxie Nelson, Mary (Wendell) Pearson, Shalon (Anthony) McConico, Eugene Nelson, John (Ora) Nelson Sr., Billy (Helen) Nelson and Morris (Wanda) Nelson; five sisters, Carrie B. Walters and Roxie (Isacc) Mitchum, both of Manning, Minister Johnnie Mae (Eddie) Calvin of Wedgefield, Sarah (the Rev. Hedrick) Galloway and Mary A. Dupree, both of Columbia; two brothers, Samuel C. Dupree and John W. Dupree, both of Columbia; 20 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; 22 step-grandchildren; and 31 step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at Society Hill AME Church, in the Santee dam section of the Jordan community, with the Rev. Malachi Gibson, pastor, officiating, the Rev. Lucious Wheeler, eulogist, assisting the Revs. O’Donald Dingle and Jerial Dingle, Elderess Daisy Ragin and Minister Diana Oliver.

Burial was in the churchyard cemetery.

Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.