Shirley Pearson

Jul 19, 1936 -

Jan 26, 2023

Anchorage, Alaska, resident Shirley A. Pearson, 86, passed away peacefully on Jan. 26, 2023. She was born on July 19, 1936, to parents Morris and Katharyn Irwin. Following her high school graduation in 1954, Shirley went on to graduate from Multnomah School of the Bible with a degree in Biblical Studies, before completing her bachelor's degree in education at South Oregon College in 1963.

In 1964, Shirley moved to Alaska as a missionary teacher for Arctic Missions - now InterAct Ministries - teaching at Victory High School and Arctic Bible Institute for many years. Following the closure of VHS, she remained heavily involved in their Native Life outreach programs.

In 1982, Shirley met George K. Pearson, whom she would marry in 1984. Through her marriage, she gained two daughters, 13 grandchildren and, at the time of her passing, 22 great-grandchildren.

Shirley is best known for her loving, gentle personality and her ability to make people feel better through a simple word or smile. She was very active in her church, serving in various capacities until her homegoing. She will be missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Katharyn Irwin; sister, Betty Lightfoot; and survived by husband, George Pearson; stepdaughters, Carole (Ron) Hamman and Rebecca Jirik; brother, Charles Irwin; and loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Please join us in celebrating her life on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at 1 p.m., at Sand Lake Baptist Church, 7434 Jewel Lake Road in Anchorage. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to InterAct Ministries, 31000 SE Kelso Rd., Boring, OR 97009; interactministries.org.