Barbara Louise Pearson, 82, of Springfield, MO, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, April 14, 2017 after 10 years of living with Alzheimer's disease, surrounded by the love of her family.  She was born March 10, 1935, in Albia Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl Casady and her loving husband, "Coach" Jim Pearson.

She is survived by her son, Byron Pearson of Springfield, two daughters, Cindi Hughes of Springfield, and Christy O'Born of Atlanta, GA; two sons-in-law, Ken Hughes and Michael O'Born; six grandchildren, Ashley and Rachel Pearson, Konrad and Corey Hughes, and Jessica and James Meehan; brothers Sherman Casady and Herman Casady; sister Darlene Campbell; and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was an educator with Springfield Public Schools for over 20 years where she taught Biology at Cherokee Middle School, Pershing Middle School and Parkview High School. She loved to read, in fact, there was hardly ever a time she didn't have a book in her hand.  Rumor has it when she was a girl growing up on the family farm, she could be found in a swing reading instead of attending to her chores!  Her other favorite pastimes were watching her husband coach Kickapoo football games. She enjoyed having the coaches and families over for a big party after each first Kickapoo home game. She loved playing with her grandkids, and taking long walks outside.  In fact, she walked so fast, nobody could keep up with her!  She and Jim would travel to Florida many times and to golf tournaments.  Barbara was a member at South Haven Baptist Church, and a wonderful Christian mother to her three children.  She taught them to love Jesus and brought each one to know Him.

She will be greatly missed by her family, but only for a short time when there will be a wonderful reunion in heaven.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home with visitation immediately following. Private family burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

We would like to sincerely thank The Baptist Home in Ozark and Hospice Compassus for taking such good care of our mom and the family through this difficult time.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Baptist Home in Ozark, Missouri.