Gertrude Pearson

Gertrude Nunley Pearson was born June 6, 1929, in Comanche County, Oklahoma, to Hunter and Florence (Johnson) Nunley. She passed peacefully at the age of 92 on June 24, 2021. “Tootsie” was raised on a farm with her three older brothers, Ray, Howard, and Junior, and attended several schools in the Walters/Central High area. On June 30, 1945, she married L.B. Pearson at the First Baptist Church pastor’s home in Marlow, Oklahoma.

After a brief residence in San Antonio, Texas, while L.B. was in the military, the Pearsons made their home in Duncan, Oklahoma. There they raised two children, Carol and Randy. Gertrude had her own beauty salon and served many customers and friends for 17 years. They eventually moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, for L.B.’s civil service job at Fort Sill, and then retired in Norman, Oklahoma. Always active in church, Gertrude often lead young adult Bible study classes. She was a member of Norman’s NorthHaven Church for many years.

Gertrude was an avid gardener along with her husband, a hobby they truly enjoyed together. L.B. even built her a greenhouse, and she had a special touch with orchids and African violets. Oil painting was her passion, and she loved to gift family and friends with their favorite. She was a Sooner and Thunder fan and enjoyed watching her teams “play ball”. Often welcoming friends and neighbors into her home, Gertrude was known for always providing refreshments for her guests. Family, however, was the most important aspect of her life. She hosted an abundance of holidays and long weekends, and visited Carol’s and Randy’s families for many special occasions. Gertrude loved her four grandchildren and delighted in adding their spouses to the family. She was thrilled to welcome six great grandchildren and each one was very special to her.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, L.B. Pearson, her parents Hunter and Florence Johnson Nunley, and her brothers, Ray and Howard Nunley.

She is survived by her children, Carol Lockhart of Norman, and Randy Pearson and wife, Jonell, of Edmond; grandchildren, Nathan Lockhart and wife, Staci, of Norman, Greg Lockhart of Norman, Erin Kaiser, and husband, Cameron, of Edmond, and Whitney Pearson, and husband, Eric Pollard, of Oklahoma City; great-grandchildren, Kate, Jane and Elle Lockhart, Pepa Lockhart, and Canon and Tristan Kaiser; brother, Junior Nunley, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.