Mary Grace Pearson

Mary Grace Pearson, age 83, was born on March 7, 1942, in Jackson County, Missouri, to Sarah Grace and Ernest Pearson. She grew up in the northeast part of Kansas City, Missouri. After high school, Mary attended Briercrest Institute at Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada. After graduating, she returned to the Kansas City area. This is when she met Earl (Jim) West, and they were married on June 5, 1966. They then returned to Canada and attended Briercrest College as married students. They decided to move to Canada and lived there for about twenty-five years. It was during that time that Mary was introduced to Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Mary went on to be a sales director. Mary broke the international sales records in Mary Kay. Mary won many awards and, yes, even the Pink Cadillac.

With both Jim and Mary’s parents getting older, the decision was made to move back to the United States, to spend more time with them. It was in 2005 that they moved to Branson, Missouri.

Mary soon became involved in many ministries, starting in the Salvation Army and then on to others. She enthusiastically joined Love Inc, and was able to minister to thousands of people. All this time, Mary attended First Baptist Church of Branson. She quickly started using her gifts of friendship, talking, by welcoming and encouraging all that came across her path. She started a phone ministry of Encouragement. Mary sent a verse a day to forty-eight people, and it was growing. She texted and called many to encourage and build them up. Mary also had a weekly encouragement message for thirty people on the “Uninterrupted Prayer Team.” She had another ministry for about twenty-two people on “the Carla Perry Prayer Team.”

Mary loved her Sunday school class with Judge Tony Williams or as she called him, “The Facilitator of Discussions.” She also loved her church and their pastors, always encouraging one and all.

Mary went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven on April 8, 2025.

There were many other ministries in her life of service, that are too many to mention.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sarah Grace and Ernest Pearson.

Mary is survived by her husband, Jim West; sisters: Martha (Warren) and Ella Nora (Mic); brothers: Frank Pearson, Mark (Mary Lou), Jim (Jackie), and Al (Sherry); brother-in-law, Bruce (Elaine) West; sister-in-law, Pat (Dave) Woods; and many nieces and nephews.

As her husband, I was honored to have Mary as my wife for fifty-nine years come June 5, 2025.

There will be a celebration of life held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.