Jaciel Pearson

Jaciel D. (Taylor) Pearson passed away Friday, February 19, 2016 at Heisinger Bluffs, Jefferson City MO, where she had lived since 2007. A former resident of Kirksville MO, she was the daughter of Garry and Bess (Collop) Taylor. Jaciel was born in Kirksville on December 26, 1928.

Jaciel was a life long member of First Presbyterian Church, Kirksville. She graduated from Kirksville High School in 1946 and attended Kirksville State Teacher’s College. She married Clare L. Pearson, of Unionville, on August 24, 1947 who preceded her in death on January 25, 1980. She is also preceded in death by her parents, brother Dr. Garry Taylor and sister, Mrs. Eileen Bragg.

Surviving are her daughter, Brenda (Les) Hancock of Jefferson City, son Dr. Garry Pearson (Jamie) of Jefferson City, granddaughters Jill (Kevin) Kilkenny, Jessica (Michael) Martinez, Claire Pearson and grandson Mathias Pearson. Also surviving are great grandchildren Kieran John and Brendan Lee Kilkenny and Caroline Jaciel Martinez.

Jaciel was accomplished in many things. She was an excellent cook and well remembered for her cinnamon rolls, apple dumplings and pies. She loved to try new recipes. She was an active volunteer at Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital and for many years ran the KOH Gift Shop creating flower arrangements. Jaciel enjoyed sewing but found her greatest sewing accomplishments in quilting. She had many “quilting” friends and enjoyed adding to her “stash.” She was a long time member of Hands of Friendship Quilt Guild and the Missouri State Quilt Guild. Jaciel also enjoyed her Thursday bridge friends for many years. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi.

Jaciel was active in Kirksville Garden Club and Missouri Federated Garden Club for many years. In 1963, she was a charter member and first president of the Kirksville Garden Club. She held district and state offices serving as Chairman of the Missouri State Convention in 1982 and Co-Editor of the Garden Forum from 1973-1979. She was an Accredited Master Judge and received the Award of Honor from the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri in 2006 signifying her commitment to civic development, design, garden therapy and horticulture. She was a master flower arranger and won many awards throughout the years. She monitored exhibits at the Missouri State Fair Horticulture building for 12 years and gave lectures, demonstrations and workshops on flower arranging.

Jaciel’s greatest gift might be her desire to help others. She was a loving and caring wife, parent, grandparent and friend and took great pleasure in doing for another. There was always a twinkle in her eye and her care providers at Heisinger described her as “feisty” right to the end.

The family would like to express our appreciation for the loving care given to Jaciel by Heisinger staff throughout her journey.

Funeral service will be held at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, Kirksville MO on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 with visitation at 11:00, service at noon led by Dr. David Henry, First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson City, Missouri with lunch following.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Norman Clarkson, Kevin Kilkenny, Michael Martinez, Steve Clark, Chris Robinson and Jerome Kohl.

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made to Heisinger Bluffs, 1000 Main Street, Jefferson City MO 65109.