Thelma Rosiepie Pearson-McCoy

Thelma RosiePie Pearson-McCoy, affectionately known as “Nanny” was born to Gus Walker and Mattie Perl Suddeth on May 16th, 1918, in Troy, Alabama. She was the second of three children: Robert, Thelma and James. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and lived a life of a faithful servant to God for more than 90 years. Throughout her 107 years, Thelma was a devoted member of First Born Church of the Living God of Apalachicola, Florida, Christ Gospel of St. Petersburg, Florida and Center of Faith of Apopka, Florida. She found great joy in praising her Lord and Savior. She worshiped with a spirit of celebration and reverence. She would dance like David danced. Thelma was the heart, the queen, the beloved matriarch of our family – our anchor, our strength that held us all together. A devoted homemaker and excellent seamstress, she cherished her faith, her family, and others, and was known for her love of good food, gardening and elegant dress (dressing from head to toe). She often shared words of wisdom and her love of Christ and would say, “Love is the key to a long life, if you spend your time loving you won’t have time for nothing else”. On January 22nd, 2026, Thelma peacefully answered God’s call to eternal rest. Unafraid of death she would often say, “You have to die in order to live again with Christ”. Her life was rich with memories, faith and love, a story long and filled with many memories – a true testament to A Life Well Woven. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gus and Mattie Perl; former husband, Frank Pearson, her husband, Andrew McCoy; her sons, Mac Arthur Pearson, L. J. Pearson and Robert Frank Pearson, Sr.; her daughters, Lois Jean Bass, Lena Pearl Cooper, Kimbly Pearson, Thelma Terrell, and Julia Mae Williams. Sweet memories of Thelma RosiePie (Nanny) will forever be cherished by her loving children, Eva D. Horace of Stockton, Alabama, Tillar Simmons and Levon Pearson of Panama City, Florida, Oscar R. Pearson of St. Petersburg, Florida, Shirley Ann Walker of Apalachicola, Florida, Stephanie Jones, Andronetta McGriff, Cheryl Rivers, Barbara Johnson (George), and Jacqueline Daniels (Chandar) all of Apopka, Florida, and Ardella Jones of Tallahassee, Florida; godchildren, Ulysses Burden and Lila Jean Davis. She lived to witness six generations, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and great-great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives, cousins, and life-long friends. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. – Revelation 21:4

Tributes

Thelma Rosiepie Pearson-McCoy

May 16, 1918 - January 22, 2026