Merle Pearson

A Man of Service

Many of us recognize Merle Pearson, moderator of the Ambassador class, as the one who lightens up our Sunday morning moods with a joke or two; but there is a lot more to Merle than this.  He leads us in our opening hymn, and reminds us of various schedules we might otherwise forget. 

Merle was born in Malvern, Ohio, and even though he came from a Christian home, he did not accept Christ as Savior until he was 16 years old.  It took place in the Malvern Methodist Church where he and his family attended.

Merle has lived in Ohio all of his life, except for two years in the military service which took him to Kentucky, Texas, and Indiana.  He attended Malone College here in Ohio.

It was during his high school days that he met Athnee Cole, better known to us as “Tee.”  They were married on June 16, 1956.  The Pearsons have three grown children, none of them living in Ohio at the present time.

Merle and Athnee joined Canton Baptist Temple in 1970.  He has served in a number of capacities: deacon, trustee, song leader, a member of the church choir, for 20 years, a member of the missions committee, and for one year before Pastor Henniger became class teacher, Merle taught the lesson each week.

Today he represents Canton Baptist Temple in the Haven of Rest ministry, and is also active in Forever Young, scheduling and preparing activities for seniors and others.  On occasions, he helps with the church’s busy hospital visitation program.

If class members still wore hats, we would take them off and salute Merle Pearson for his active and often behind-the-scenes role in the work of the Ambassador class of Canton Baptist Temple.

Thanks, Merle!