Ronald Lee "Little Winkie" Pearson, 71, of Cliffside entered his eternal home after a brief illness at Mary Black Memorial Hospital, Spartanburg SC.

He was a son of the late Willie Lee "Winkie" and Hattie Hawkins Pearson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Linda Pearson Conner and Earnesteen "Teeny" Pearson Barnes; brother-in-law John Wayne "JW" Barnes; and grandsons, Caleb Trace Pearson & Braxton Shawn Pearson. Left to cherish his memories from his earthly home and await their heavenly meeting, his loving wife of 46 years, Brenda Short Pearson of the home. His sister; Frances Wallace and husband Jack of Rockingham, NC. His sons; Jerry Pearson & wife Angie of Mooresboro, Michael Pearson of Forest City, and Ronnie Pearson and fiancé Ashlea Hawkins of Mooresboro; brother-in-law, Bill Connor of Mooresboro; His beloved grandchildren; Dillian Pearson and girlfriend Jessica Huffman of the home, & Kamdin Pearson of the home. Shane Pearson of Forest City, Ethan Pearson of Forest City, Justin Moore of Cliffside, Dillon Moore of Mooresboro; Miranda Moore of Tennessee, and a great grandson; Cooper Moore also of Mooresboro and his beloved friend, Bob Jones of Mooresboro, NC. In addition to listed family, "PAPA" is survived by the numerous friends and neighbors of whom he took in as his own. Ronald retired from Duke Power Company where he worked as a crane operator for many years. "Little Winkie" as many know him spent many years coaching baseball with the Tri-Community Little League and was a member of Prospect Baptist Church. "PAPA", "Little Winkie", or "Ronald"; all that knew him no matter the name they called him by; they surely experienced his selfless love that he always displayed by ensuring laughter was present with his constant humor. Ronald's time on earth had a significant impact on the lives of all he encountered.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Prospect Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 beginning at 3:00 pm with the Rev. Ernie Cole and Rev. Ted Blankenship officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 until the service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in his memory to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the physicians, nurses and other staff members of Mary Black Memorial Hospital for the amazing care that they provided during his illness.

Harrelson Funeral & Cremation Services is serving Pearson family.