Jacye VerLynne Freebairn Pearson, our beloved Mother, Grandmother and great Grandmother, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2024 in Provo, Utah surrounded by family. She was 93 years old and appreciated every year she had with us but truly wanted to return again to be with her best friend and loving husband, Dale F. Pearson, who passed away over ten years ago. VerLynne was born to Paul Sheets Freebairn and Vida Anderson Freebairn on October 19, 1930 in Lehi, Utah. She spent her early years in Utah living in Lehi, Provo and Salt Lake City. VerLynne was the middle of three children, Paul was two years older and Dwayne was fourteen years younger. She loved her brothers and has missed them dearly since their passing.

After high school, VerLynne attended the University of Utah and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. While attending the U of U she was introduced to Dale Pearson by her cousin. Dale had just returned from a mission to the Central States Mission and came to visit during General Conference in April of 1951. They dated a few times while Dale was in Utah and then he returned to his home in California. Dale invited VerLynne to come to California to visit because he was very interested in getting to know her better. At the time VerLynne really didn't have romantic feelings towards Dale but she felt she could visit and see if the feelings changed. VerLynne and her cousin traveled to California to visit and Dale and VerLynne ended up dating for several months before they married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 8, 1952.

VerLynne and Dale began their life together in California while Dale was stationed at Fort Ord during the Korean War. After completing his service in the army they moved back to Utah and finished their education at the University of Utah. After school they moved back to California for a number of years working at Stanford University and other institutions before being accepted to teach at Brigham Young University. Dale taught at B.Y.U. in the department of Social Work where he completed his Ph.D. During this time VerLynne worked out of the home generally in part-time positions to help support their children as they served missions. VerLynne was recognized and earned several awards as an employee over her years of service because of her good work ethic and because she was loved by those she worked with.

As VerLynne and Dale retired from full time employment, their goal throughout their life was always to serve the Lord as missionaries. VerLynne had served as a stake missionary before she got married and Dale had served a full time mission in the Central States mission. After retirement they were able to serve missions in Charlotte, North Carolina, Beijing, China and Laia, Hawaii. When Dale passed away in 2013 they were serving as missionaries in the Provo Transient Services office. VerLynne and Dale love their Father in Heaven and loved serving missions and serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Their example as missionaries has been passed along to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They have a wonderful legacy of missionaries in their family.

After Dale passed in 2013 VerLynne continued her service in the church by serving in callings within her ward. In 2015 she fell and broke her femur which resulted in her being wheelchair bound. For the past nine years she has lived at Jamestown in Provo, Utah, Spring Gardens, Lindon, Utah and most recently at Legacy Village in Provo, Utah. With her passing she leaves behind an extensive family legacy. She will be deeply missed by her children and families: Randy (Toni)-34 children and grandchildren, Brad (Cathy)-20 children and grandchildren, Sheri (Steven) Butala both deceased-8 children and grandchildren, Lynette (Mark) Bateman-29 children and grandchildren and Ryan (Jennifer)-9 children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, daughter, Sherilyn and her husband Steven, great grandsons Carter and Benson, her parents Paul and Vida Freebairn and two brothers, Paul and Dwayne.

As her family we recognize that Mom loved her family more than anything. She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and her Heavenly Father. She lived her life connected to her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. At 93 she was still texting and playing games on her phone to keep her mind active everyday. She drove her electric wheelchair around her living facilities and attended every event that was offered. She loved her hamburgers with french fries, strawberry shakes, root beer, chocolate ice cream cones and, of course, shrimp. We will miss having her for Sunday dinners, accompanying us as we would run our errands, weekly "bus rides", Saturday lunch dates, family events and everything else she continued to do with our families up to the last week of her life. She will be remembered as a loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, wonderful friend and an intentional follower and disciple of Jesus Christ. It was our privilege as her family to serve her while she has been in assisted living. It was never a burden as she insisted but a privilege we will cherish for the rest of our lives. There are so many people to thank that have blessed her life, from the wonderful aides at the assisted living centers and her dear friends that she will miss until they meet again. We especially want to thank Malissa and McKenna who have been so special helping mom as well as others with Envision Hospice services.

Funeral Services will be Friday, January 12th at 11:00 a.m. at the Edgemont 9th ward Chapel, 4300 North Canyon Road, Provo, Utah. Friends may visit with the family Friday morning at the same location from 9:30-10:45 just prior to the funeral service. Interment will follow the service at the Timpanogos Memorial Gardens, 1000 North 400 East Orem, Utah. Condolences may be extended to the family online at walkersanderson.com. This website will also have a link for friends out of the area or those unable to attend to watch the services online.