Horace Hall Pearsall, Jr., of Wilmington, died April 16, 2014, at Davis Health Care Center after a lengthy illness. He was 90.
Mr. Pearsall graduated from Davidson College in 1944 with a degree in business. Following graduation, he served on the U.S. hospital ship “Wisteria” during WWII. For 45 years he was an agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Society (now AXA).
He was a longtime member of the Carolina Yacht Club, the YMCA (Market St. branch) and Pearsall Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he served as Sunday school teacher, choir member and ruling Elder. For many years he was an active member of the Wilmington Art Association and the Wilmington Choral Society.
After retiring in 1992 he became a volunteer at Hospitality House, NHRMH and several nursing homes. He continued studying painting with local artists Claude Howell and Jack Berman and singing with the Choral Society.
Mr. Pearsall was born July 19, 1923, on Wrightsville Sound and was preceded in death by his parents, Melva Boney Carr Pearsall and Horace Hall Pearsall 1908; sister, Florence Carr Pearsall Wilson; and brother-in-law, David W. Wilson, Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Applewhite Pearsall; two sons, Fr. William Battle Pearsall ’71, SJ, in England and Horace Hall Pearsall, III (Karen), of Paso Robles, Calif.; two daughters, Melva Pearsall Calder, (Robert E. Calder), of Wilmington and Alice Pearsall Pleasants (James A. Pleasants, Jr.), of Rocky Point; granddaughter, Rachel Pleasants DeLise (Douglas); grandson, Richard Blake Pleasants; great-grandson, Brycen Thomas DeLise; two nephews, David W. Wilson, Jr. and Robert F. Wilson; and niece, Priscilla Wilson Judy.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Pearsall Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3902 Market St., with the Rev. Dr. June Highfill officiating, followed by a reception at the church in Howell Hall. Burial will be at 1 p.m. at Oakdale Cemetery.
The Pearsall family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Marsha Fretwell for her understanding care over the last 15 years; his devoted caregiver, Marlene; the nurses at Davis, who appreciated his sense of humor; and especially to Julie Rehder Kupricka for bringing in harpist Carol Bowman-Green from the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Healing Arts Therapy Program during his last hours at the Davis Health Care Center.
Memorials may be made to one’s favorite charity or Pearsall Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3902 Market St.,Wilmington,NC; or to the Healing Arts Program, in care of The Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Andrews Mortuary.