Dearest Terri,
Our deepest condolences to you and Gary. We're so sad to learn of Aunt Jimmie's passing. I have so many wonderful memories of her and I will never forget how Aunt Jimmie was a devoted Mother, a career woman and how she lived life to the fullest!
In particular when we were little kids and my family would be visiting your home, I can vividly remember when our Grandpa, Dr. Pearson arrived at your house. Aunt Jimmie would announce that Grandpa and Grandma had pulled into the driveway and did that ever get a bunch of little kids running to hide under her bed, because in those days Grandpa's arrival would sometimes include a vaccination shot. Aunt Jimmie would laugh, as she would be pulling each kid out from under her bed, all by our legs, one child at a time! A story that would be repeated often at family gatherings in our adult years.
Later when my family moved to Muscatine when I was just five years old, from that time on I loved spending every holiday at Grandma & Grandpa Pearson's home in Muscatine with you and Aunt Jimmie. Just knowing that you and Aunt Jimmie would be in Muscatine for several days well that would make the holidays so much more special for me! I loved talking to Aunt Jimmie and I remember she always had a kind smile, a funny story and she would make a point to chat with each one of us kids. She had numerous fishing stories and I can still to this day recall the laughter in her voice! She was just such a wonderful Aunt!
One of the fondest memories I have of Aunt Jimmie is one year at Christmas, at our Grandparents home in Muscatine, she gave me a gift, that really changed my life! I was eleven years old and when I unwrapped that very grown up gift, I couldn't believe my eyes. My gift from Aunt Jimmie, was a camera, complete with film, flash, batteries and a camera case. With that camera I started taking pictures, and posed family members at Grandma's home, pictures of Aunt Teddy, Aunt Jimmie, and my Mom were the most heart warming for me. When those pictures were developed I knew that when I grew up someday I wanted to become a professional photographer. Thanks to Aunt Jimmie - I did, I'm a professional photographer today - with a destination wedding and special event photography business on Sanibel & Captiva Island Florida. I have a special memory of thanking her with a Christmas card years ago about how she sparked a vocation, and an interest in photography for me. It was that gift, that camera from Aunt Jimmie that gave me my passion to follow a career path in photography.
Aunt Jimmie will always have a special place in my heart. She loved life, she was devoted to her family, and she always seemed to be the kind of person who embraced adventures. When she took up - flying lessons I was so impressed! I will always remember her kind smile and her zest for life, her professional disposition.
I'm very fortunate to have had such a wonderful, loving Aunt. The pictures you posted were perfect, she was a beautiful lady. The one of you being held by your Dad on Grandma's front porch was such a sweet picture. I know that Aunt Jimmie loved you and your Father so very much, and now they will be at peace and in heaven together.
God's Blessings -
Our Love & Deepest Sympathy, your cousin
Jan Pearson-Graham & Randy Graham
