26
January 2016 • SR
Bettie Almira Butler Pearson, wife of David Pearson,
passed away November 9, 2015. On November 7,
while sitting at the kitchen table together with her
husband, Bettie suffered a massive stroke. She was
taken by ambulance to Floyd’s Emergency Unit
where efforts failed to restore her. Two days later the
Lord called her home.
Bettie Almira Butler was born on December 22, 1931,
almost a Christmas baby. As children do, Bettie grew and
began school, graduating with distinction from New Hope
High School in 1949. After two years of college, she trans-
ferred to Salem College, Salem, WV, graduating in 1953
with a double major in Christian and Elementary Education.
During most of her stay at Salem, she had the honor of resid-
ing in the home of Dr. and Mrs. K. Duane Hurley. He was
president of the college at that time. In addition to her studies,
she cared for the children and performed varied household
duties.
Following graduation, she taught briefly in Alabama.
On September 20, 1953, in the Paint Rock SDB Church,
Bettie married David C. Pearson, a young SDB minister.
They moved to West Virginia where David briefly served
the Berea and Middle Island SDB churches.
Both Bettie and David felt the call of God to serve in
foreign missions. When a resignation took place in Myasa-
land, Central Africa, they were given the opportunity to
respond favorably to God’s call. They soon found them-
selves on Makapwa Mission, with nurses Beth Severe and
Joan Clement, who were already in service there.
While in Africa, Bettie gave birth to Debbie, now Mrs.
Jeff Hargett, and Joanna, now Mrs. Luis Lovelace.
In 1979, Bettie was awarded the Robe of Achievement by
the Seventh Day Baptist Women’s Society. More recently,
Bettie and David were conferred with the Volunteer of the
Year Award by Floyd Medical Center. Usually this was given
to an individual — but it was observed that Bettie and David
worked as a team. She played the keyboard, prayed, read
the scripture, while David brought the message to patients
at the Floyd Rehabilitation Unit — times of great blessing.
Bettie was loved by her husband and daughters and
many others who were priviledged to know her.
Funeral services were conducted at the Paint Rock SDB
Church and Bethel Cemetery on November 13, 2015, by
Pastor Clyde Thompson and Pastor Luis Lovelace.
Her home will never be the same.
—David C. Pearson
UHLAND — WARD
Kyle Joseph Uhland and Julie Michele Ward were married
on October 17, 2015, at the Seventh Day Baptist Church of
Shiloh, NJ. Rev. Donald Chroniger officiated.
LAYTON — COX
Matthew Layton and Kaitlyn Cox were married on
November 21, 2015, at Abbie Holmes Estate in Clermont,
NJ. The wedding was officiated by Rev. Donald Chroniger
of the SDB Church of Shiloh, NJ.
MARRIAGES
A TRIBUTE TO MISSIONARY
BETTIE PEARSON
How to contact General Council:
Email address to all of the General Council members:
Regular mail can be sent to:
Susie Fox, General Council Chair
1722 Taylor Station Road, Blacklick, OH 43004.
Contact Information for Directors:
Jeremiah Owen
Director of Communications
cell: (818)-468-9077
Rev. John J. Pethtel
Director of Church Development & Pastoral Services
cell: (304) 629-9823
Rev. Nicholas J. Kersten
Director of Education & History
office: (608) 752-5055
cell: (608) 201-4850
July 31 – August 6
Seventh Day Baptist
Conference 2016
Houghton College, Houghton, NY
Facebook: SDB Conference 2016
#sdb2016
