Emma Lou Pearson

Emma Lou married John Leonard Pearson on October 20, 1950. Together, they had four children: Byron, Janice, Carmen, and John Thomas. She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Byron, and her granddaughter Victoria Pearson and granddaughter Heather and grandson Chad Spratley. Her grandchildren are Douglas, Rochelle, Dwayne, Vanessa Pearson, Robyn Henry-McCree (husband Bishop George), Roxanne Price (husband Jeff), Michael (wife Melissa), and John Pearson, Shanna Holland-Jacobs and Abram Holland (wife Abby). Alongside Michael, John, Vanessa, and Victoria, Emma Lou contributed to raising her great-grandsons Martin Jr. and Damarcus Costello. She has a host of great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a dear cousin Betty Smith Wilson and her sister in laws Aunt Barbara, Yvonne and Jeanne.

She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on December 29, 1929, to Otho and Odel 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.

Emma Lou attended the local school, 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, and most of all she loved to tell jokes. Also, she was an honorary member of the African American Museum & Cultural Center of NM (AAMCCNM)

Her life’s journey ended on May 26, 2026. Although she suffered towards the end she never complained about her illness. She was loved and will be greatly missed by all.

Floral requests can be done through Flowers by Zach-Low.com; donations and gifts can be sent to her home church Restoration Life Ministries (via cash app:$Restorelifemin), or (via PayPal: @Restorationlifemin)