Barbara Ballard Pearson, 86, of Campbell, Texas (formerly of Athens, DeSoto, and Grand Prairie, Texas) died peacefully at Briarcliff Health Center, on August 2, 2010. Services will be at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville, Texas at 10:00 am on Thursday August 5, 2010 with Rev. Randy Rather officiating. Burial will follow at Brigham Cemetery in Campbell. Visitation is from 6 – 8pm on Wednesday, August 4th at Coker-Mathews.
Born October 21, 1923 in Denison, Texas, Mrs. Pearson was the daughter of Boyd Ballard and Margaret Elizabeth Goetsell. The family moved to Grand Prairie where she attended public schools and graduated from Grand Prairie High School as a proud Gopher. On November 18, 1943 she married Preston W. Pearson (originally from Emory and Greenville) in Rockwall and remained in Grand Prairie for 23 years. During the years of World War II, Barbara was one of the first local Texans employed by Chance Vought and became a telephone operator. Chance Vought became Ling-Temco-Vought, and then Ling Corporation. At Ling Corporation, Barbara became the chief telephone operator for their corporate offices in the Ling Tower in downtown Dallas.
In 1966 the Pearson’s moved to Athens where Barbara worked as the office manager for Dr. Milton Pierson. Another move, to De Soto, found her last and, probably, most “fun” position as the chief telephone operator for Six Flags over Texas. At one point, Barbara was named employee of the month and enjoyed seeing her name in lights on the Six Flags billboard overlooking I-30. Upon her retirement, she still worked for Six Flags on a part-time basis – they just could not live without her. Barbara eventually retired for good and moved to Campbell to be close to her eldest daughter. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Commerce.
Barbara’s spare time was spent playing crossword puzzles in ink, which drove Paula and Pam crazy. Doing jig-saw puzzles (the more pieces the better). Cross stitching and reading were other passions. Las Vegas and the slots were another love. Travel with Preston was essential – Vegas, Mexico, Europe - whenever they could manage. The computer age brought Slingo, Solitaire, and Blackjack right into her living room. She loved Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Louis Prima/Keely Smith, and Don Rickles. Her LP collection was extensive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 49 years, Preston Pearson.
She is survived by her daughters and sons in laws, Paula and Lowell Ballew of Campbell and Pam and Roger Thompson of Midland. She has three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. James and, wife, Natalie Ballew, graduates of Texas A&M-Commerce, live in Albuquerque, N.M. with Helena Christine, Brian Thompson is a senior at Texas A&M-College Station, and Hannah Thompson is a sophomore at Abilene Christian College. In addition, Barbara is survived by sister MaryAnn White of Arlington, sister and brother-in-law Nell and Ralph Abernathy of Campbell, sister Betty Ogles of Mabank, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her family was enlarged and enhanced by the addition of Lowell’s children: Michelle and Tom Walker of Allen and their 3 children: Drew, Mattie and Ben and Bill and Cindy Ballew of Campbell and their 2 children: Rachel and Emily.
Pallbearers will be: Steve Abernathy of Oklahoma City, Don White of Grand Prairie, Boyd White of Arlington, Bill Ballew of Campbell, James Ballew of Albuquerque, and Brian Thompson of College Station.
Barbara survived breast cancer, but the past several years brought new struggles. The family hopes that in lieu of flowers memorial donations will be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association of Texas or the First Presbyterian Church of Commerce. The family also wishes to thank the employees of Briarcliff Health Center and the doctors from the Live Oak Professional Center of Commerce for their kindness and care during the past year.
