Lemuel Earl Pearsall Sr.

Lemuel Earl Pearsall, Sr. departed this life suddenly on Wednesday, July 29 at Canterbury Health and Rehabilitation in Richmond, VA.  Earl or “Mr. P”, as he was affectionately called, was born on July 2, 1945 in Mount Olive, NC to Rosetta Warren Pearsall and Lemuel B. Pearsall.  He grew up in Mt. Olive and after graduation from Carver High School in 1963, he attended Bull’s Barber College in Durham, NC where he earned his barber license.  In 1968, he and Patricia Kornegay were married and were blessed with one son, Lemuel in 1973.

Earl knew early on that he wanted to be a barber.  He began cutting his family’s hair at the age of 7 when there were no vacuum hoses or quick-change razors.  He had a pair of scissors, a barber’s smock and a strong desire to make his customers smile.

“Mr. P” worked since he was 16 years old, and his very first job was at the world famous Mt. Olive Pickle Company.  However, as an adult, he spent his entire working career as a barber at The Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA—a total of 52 years.  His dedication to his career kept him close to his love of the Corps.  Earl’s pride in the Corps was evident in his professional dress, his professional manner and his charismatic attitude.  “I love the Corps just as much as anybody you see.  The people on base are like family”, he once said.  The highlight of his career came in 2003 when the Marine Corps Community Service presented him with an award for his dedication and outstanding service.

Earl was a man with unwavering faith and an unbreakable spirit.  Early in life as a youth, he gave himself to God and joined St. Mark Baptist Church in Mt. Olive and remained a member until he moved to Virginia.  In 1976, he became a member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Dale City, VA and remained there until his death.   During his illness, he was always upbeat, resilient and never willing to give up hope.  What a perfect gift he had welcoming congregants and visitors each Sunday as he handed them a worship bulletin and yes, an extended big hug, too.  He was also involved in many programs, committees and served on various boards over the years.  He was genuinely loved and adored by all and also envied of his classic cars he drove to church and his “GQ wardrobe”.  Earl had a sincere love for people and enjoyed a good laugh.

When he was not working, he could be found hunting, playing chess, tinkling with one of his antique cars, watching sports, or maintaining his immaculate lawn and landscaping.  A great deal of his time was spent traveling from school to school, city to city, or even state to state to follow his son Lemuel’s running events and races. After retiring from Quantico in 2015, he had more time to sit back, relax and enjoy his Washington Redskins and watch his favorite soap operas—“The Young and the Restless” and The Bold and the Beautiful”.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Herbert.  Cherished memories will linger in the hearts of his two sons, Earl Jerome Jones (Gracie) and family of Wendell, NC and Raleigh, NC and Lemuel Earl Pearsall, Jr. of Fort Lee, VA and his mother, Patricia Pearsall, Earl’s former wife. of Woodbridge, VA; two sisters, Rosa M. Brock and family of Hampton, VA, Atlanta, GA and Denver, Colorado and Lillie B. Pearsall and family of Mount Olive, NC; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Although there is sadness, we are consoled by all the precious memories dear to our hearts.  Earl is at peace, as the Lord is his Shepherd and will await and greet us at our arrival at the “Eternal Home” God provides for His children.  Earl made a profound, lasting impression on those around him, and he leaves a void that shall not soon be filled.  Rest in peace our dear beloved Earl.

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