Eugenia Ingram Pearson

Our mother and grandmother Eugenia Ingram Pearson “Nanny” entered into heaven on October, 9 th 2026 at the age of 97.

She was born on June, 30 1929 in Asheville, NC to the late Walter and Minnie Ingram. As the oldest of two girls, she grew up in a loving Christian home that was infused with lots of music, piano lessons, and singing. She sang in church from a very young age, taught piano lessons, and used her talents throughout her life for the glory of God. For many years, she was the pianist at Boonville Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist in Mt Airy, NC and also enjoyed playing handbells. Along with the love of music, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking, needlepoint, ceramics, basket weaving, and making Christmon ornaments for her church and her family. However, her most enjoyable hours were spent during her morning devotions, Bible reading, and prayer.

Genie, as she was lovingly called by her family, married her childhood sweetheart W.L. “Bill” Pearson in 1951. They lived in Durham, NC where she worked at Duke University Library. This began a lifelong love of Duke basketball. She was a die-hard “Dukie”.

She is survived by their children, Laurie and Walter Mathis, Steve and Lynn Pearson. She was blessed with two grandchildren, Julie (Matt) Reinhardt and Dr. Gregory (Whitney) Mathis. The blessings continued with eight great-grandchildren; Braeden (Chaeli), Eden, and Mattox Reinhardt, Coram, Judah, Barrett, Salem and Reid Mathis. 

Genie was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bill Pearson, her son, Tim Pearson and her sister Helen Batson.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Mountain Valley Hospice and their caring staff who provided care for Eugenia over the past few weeks. Thank you also to Michelle Benton and Amber Sparks for providing additional care during this time.

The family will receive friends at the Boonville Baptist Church Family Life Center on Saturday October, 17 th from 10:30am to 12:00pm. A worship service to celebrate the life of Eugenia will be held following the visitation in the sanctuary. Officiating the service will be Dr. Gregory Mathis and Reverend Rick Fisher. 

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be made to Boonville Baptist Church Cemetery fund or Mountain Valley Hospice.