Kent Paschal Pearson

KENT PASCHAL PEARSON, 68, beloved husband of Deborah Pruett Pearson, passed away peacefully, Tuesday morning, June 9, 2026 in the comfort of his home. He was born on July 22, 1957 at University Hospital in Augusta, Georgia to Hugh and Ethel Pearson.

Kent excelled at many endeavors during his life and was often able to share simple wisdom with those around him. Kent was a proud graduate of North Augusta High School, and during his time there, he experienced the joy of singing with his school’s chorus and the thrill of competition as a member of both the school track and chess teams. The skills he gained during these years appeared throughout his life: as clear but sacred advice to a nephew trying to find motivation during running (“Just run a mile until you get good at that, then do another.”); as epic chess battles with his brother-in-law during family holidays, everyone watching, invested in the outcome; as a great lover of all types of music, whether he was singing in a clear tenor around piano with his family, cranking up the volume on yet another Beatle’s album, or simply proving to everyone that, yes, he definitely could still sing his school’s Alma Mater with that beautiful lyric, “In the hills of Carolina.”

It would be hard to pay appropriate tribute to Kent without highlighting his incredible work ethic. His first jobs were with his beloved Grandaddy Owens, mowing yards and the grass at Sunset Memorial Park. By the time he was 15, he had continued following his grandfather’s footsteps by becoming an accomplished meat cutter, first at Bi-Lo, and later at Winn-Dixie and Food Lion. In later years, Kent would work jobs in a variety of manufacturing capacities, first at Savannah River Plant, then Fuji Film in Greenwood and finishing out his career as a machine operator at International Paper in Augusta. Whether his co-workers knew him as Kent or one of his nicknames (Slick, Neutron, or Coach), one thing they could all agree on was that he was the person you wanted on your team: knowledgeable and dogged in his determination to get the job done well, supportive and encouraging to his fellow employees, and willing to share his experienced wisdom.

A love of sports followed Kent into adulthood, whether he was watching the Dallas Cowboys or the Atlanta Braves. However, even if you only ever heard his voicemail, you know that his favorite team would be wearing orange and purple and running down The Hill on any given Saturday. Kent and Debbie were proud IPTAY supporters for almost 40 years, driving all over the country in every kind of weather and situation to cheer for their Tigers.

Kent is survived by his wife Debbie, his two children, Leslie Walters (Kyle), and Kyle Pearson (Deborah); as well as four grandchildren, Eric Walters (Brandi), Collin Walters, Daniel Pearson, and Sarah Pearson. He is also survived by his sister, Donna Gregory (Jeff).

The family will receive friends Friday afternoon, June 12th beginning at noon at Shellhouse - Rivers Funeral Home.

The funeral service will follow at 1 o'clock at the funeral home with The Rev. Jordan Bird officiating. Interment will be in Southlawn Cemetery.

SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC