Emma Lou Pearson

Emma Lou was united in marriage with John Leonard Pearson on October 20, 1950. They were parents to four children: Byron, Janice (whose spouse was Fredrick Henry Jr., deceased), Carmen (whose spouse was James Spratley Sr., deceased), and John Thomas (spouse Camelia). She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Byron, granddaughters Victoria Pearson and Heather Spratley, grandsons Chad and James Spratley Jr. Her surviving grandchildren include Douglas, Rochelle, Vanessa Pearson, Dwayne Adams, Robyn Henry-McCree (spouse Bishop George), Roxanne Price (spouse Jeff), Michael (spouse Melissa), John Thomas Pearson II, Shanna Holland-Jacobs, and Abram Holland (spouse Abby). Together with Michael, John, Vanessa, and Victoria, Emma Lou played a significant role in raising her great-grandsons Martin Jr. and Damarcus Costello. She is also survived by numerous great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, her esteemed cousin Betty Smith Wilson, and sisters-in-law Aunt Barbara, Yvonne, and Jeannie.

She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on December 29, 1929, to Otho and Odell Greer Pettiford. She was one of twelve siblings—eight sisters and three brothers—all of whom (Esther, Iva, Carmi, Pauline (Alpha), Timothy, Grace, Bevo, Mary, Della, Ruth, and Joseph) preceded her in death.

At an early age (the 4th grade) she took an interest in the piano – after a few lessons and by the age of 15, she was playing the piano for Gods House Church. She was the choir director for the Adult and Junior choir for more than 40 years. At the age of 94 she was still playing the piano. She also composed and wrote her own songs and plays the guitar.

Emma and her husband founded Calvary Apostolic Temple (1992), and she took on numerous roles: serving as First Lady, leading as Missionary president, playing both piano and organ for the choir, coordinating outreach initiatives, and fulfilling any needs that aroseto support the church.

Pastor John (Tom) Pearson and Co-Pastor Camelia Pearson assumed leadership of Calvary—now Restoration Life Ministries—following the passing of Pastor John's father in 2010. Emma Pettiford-Pearson, Emeritus, continued her committed membership at the age of 96.

Emma Lou attended the local schools, Old Armijo, Lincoln Jr. High, graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1948 and subsequently attended TVI, where she completed coursework in bookkeeping and typing with top grades. Additionally, she is an accomplished artist who enjoys board games, excels at Scrabble, an honorary member of the African American Museum and Cultural Center of NM, and most of all she loved to tell jokes.

Mama's Sunday dinners, featuring roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, Kool-Aid, Bunny Rolls, and apple pies, were always popular. Family and friends often visited to share her meals. Mom also loves stylish hats, a tradition from her grandmother, who was a hat maker. Her journey ended on May 26, 2026. Despite her suffering, she never complained about her illness. She was loved and will be deeply missed.

Floral requests can be done through Flowers by flowersbyzachlow.com donations and gifts can be sent to her home church Restoration Life Ministries via cash app:$Restorelifemin, or via PayPal: @Restorationlifemin, Venmo: @restorelifemin

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