Cover photo for Shearon C Pearson's Obituary
Shearon C Pearson Profile Photo

Shearon C Pearson

June 9, 1942 — December 1, 2024

Little Rock

Shearon C Pearson

Shearon Cecilia Buffalo Pearson, a brilliant mind and loving spirit, passed away on December 1, 2024, in her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Shearon was born prematurely on June 9, 1942. Her childhood was marked by her loving parents, siblings, extended family, and a few dear friendships that stood the test of time. She entertained herself through the joy of reading every book she could find, creating arts and crafts, and discovering the wonder of math and science.

Shearon went on to study advanced mathematics and computer programming and earned her Bachelor of Science at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she met the love of her life, her husband of 61 years, Sonny Pearson. After their wedding, they moved to New Mexico for a time before returning to Fayetteville, where she then completed her Master’s degree and discovered her joy of teaching.

She went on to program the guidance system for the Viking Mars Lander, a critical component of the first NASA landing on Mars. At the time, she and Sonny were working in different departments at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) in Denver, CO. She later went on to inspire students as an instructor of mathematics at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL before taking on the Ph.D. program at Rice University in Houston, TX. 

She and Sonny ultimately moved to Little Rock to be near her parents, and they helped run the family business, the Buffalo Oil Company, for the next couple of decades. They worked countless hours, enjoyed the love of their daughter and their many family pets, and made a home that they remained in for the next 44 years. 

They were fortunate to have many more years in retirement together, and they cherished weekends spent at their cabin on the Spring River in Hardy, Arkansas. They enjoyed sitting on the porch, listening to the sounds of nature, feeding the hummingbirds, watching kayakers paddle down the river, and driving a golf cart around the town. 

During these more relaxing years, Shearon enjoyed the company of a tight-knit group of friends who spent many evenings entertaining one another. They delighted in her youthful curiosity about everything under the sun and enjoyed countless conversations around the table. 

Shearon is survived by her husband, Sonny Pearson; their daughter Samantha Pearson Clark; and their grandchildren, James, Phoenix, and Genevieve. She was predeceased by her father, Cecil Miles Buffalo; her mother, Melba Rose Pendleton Buffalo; her sister, Connie Jean; and her brother, Cecil Jr. 

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to her medical team for the compassionate care they gave during her final days. 

A visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Home in North Little Rock (1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114) on December 9, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, providing an opportunity for all to share memories and celebrate a life well-lived. 

Please post your thoughts, memories, and condolences to Shearon’s everlasting online memorial journal. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shearon C Pearson, please visit our flower store.
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Past Services

Visitation

Monday, December 9, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Smith Family Funeral Home - North Little Rock

1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114

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