Elder Sarah Pearson

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness....." II Timothy 4:7-8 Elder Sarah Newkirk Pearson is a native of Goldsboro, North Carolina. She was born on September 11, 1938 to the late Norman and Mary Wilson Newkirk and with her words "I want to live in that building not made by hand" she departed this earthly life on August 7th at her home. Elder Pearson attended Goldsboro City Schools and Wayne Community College. In 1973 she received an Associate in Science degree in Nursing (LPN) graduating with honors. During her nursing career she served at Wayne Memorial Hospital, O'Berry Center and Cherry Hospital. She retired from Cherry Hospital in 1993. In March, 1990 she became the wife of Mr. Johnnie Pearson and enjoyed 22 years with her husband. Since rededicating her life to Christ several years ago, she gave wholehearted service and sacrifice to further the Kingdom. She accepted the call to teach the gospel in February 2004. While serving at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church she served in Music Ministry, headed the Deaconess Board, was an Adult Sunday School teacher. She initiated a Community Visitation and Outreach group, and would often visit and pray with sick and shut-in members. One of her most heart-felt endeavors was the initiation and sustaining of the 12 noon day prayer, which she and Deacon Johnnie Pearson carried on for more than ten years. In addition, for more than seven years she was a regular contributor to the Good News Gazette monthly Christian newspaper as well as the Philadelphia Community Church quarterly paper, The Open Door Chronicle. Her commitment to the kingdom of God carried over to Philadelphia Community Church with which she united on January 1, 2005. In October 2005 she was elevated to the level of "Elder." She faithfully sang with the Praise Team and taught Adult Sunday School. She chaired the Benevolence Committee. Under her leadership the Committee monthly distributed meals in various communities in the City; where she would take even from her own resources to make sure those in need were feed. Psalms 27 was her favorite scripture and sustained her through her life. Friends and family remember her as a pillar of strength, a mother to her community and a rare jewel. At the young age of 78, she became a first-time published author of her book Let's Get Real: For Spiritual Growth and Maturity, in 2016, edited and published by her grandson Richard A. Taylor. She was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Mary Wilson Newkirk; husband Johnnie Pearson; sister, Lila Newkirk Jeter, and three brothers, Elbert Wilson, Samuel Newkirk, and Marshall Newkirk. Those left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life are four children: Aletta Taylor (Rodger), Jerome Newkirk (Joyal) of Goldsboro, NC, Benita Hall, and Keith Newkirk of Charlotte, NC; twelve Grandchildren: Kamia Taylor, Karen McAdams (Troy), Charmaine Newkirk, Richard Taylor, Yvonne Newkirk, Byren Wynn, Gregory Hall, Jr., Kelvin Newkirk, Rontrae Newkirk, Brandon (Brittany) Newkirk, Bradley Newkirk and Brian Newkirk; Seven Great-Grandchildren: Keronnie Leftwrige, Shaakira Newkirk, Kiana Taylor, Kendrick Newkirk, Brianna Newkirk, Italy Taylor, and Kindle Grace McAdams; a dear long-time friend Dolores Hayes, as well as a host of nieces, nephews other relatives, friends, and beloved . A celebration of life service honoring the life of Elder Pearson will be held Saturday, August 11th at 3pm in the sanctuary of Word of Truth Christian Fellowship, 1401 N. Carolina Street, with Prophet Rodger Taylor officiating. The family will greet friends at the church for a wake one hour prior to the service and other times at the Taylor's Residence, 1016 S. Taylor Street. The family is in the care of Serenity Memorial Funeral Home & Cremations, LLC. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to Philadelphia Community Development Corporation (PCDC) P. O. Box 1561, Goldsboro NC 27533, paypal (pccoffice@aol.com), or CashApp (9192220389) to continue the community feedings which expressed Elder Pearson's charitable hear Service of Love & Compassionate Care have been entrusted to Serenity Memorial Funeral Home & Cremations, LLC.

Elder Sarah Pearson

September 11, 1938 - August 8, 2018