Obituary of Robert Edward Pearsall-- 1954

Transcribed by Stephen Carroll Pearsall



Supply Firm President Dies Here



R. E. Pearsall Rites Tomorrow



Robert Edward Pearsall, 60, president, general manager and board chairman of James McGraw, Inc., local machinery supply firm, died Monday at a local hospital.



Mr. Pearsall, who lived on Old Gunn Road in Midlothian, had been associated with the company since 1920. He became president of the 88-year-old firm last year succeeding Stanley R. Tucker. Mr. Tucker died last week.



His first position with McGraw was as purchasing agent. In 1929, he became vice-president in charge of purchases and two years later was made vice-president and treasurer. He was named executive vice-president and chairman of the board in 1944.



Deacon of Church



Mr. Pearsall was a member for more than 30 years of Overbrook Presbyterian Church, where he was a deacon. He recently joined Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church. He also was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and was a life member of the Virginia Boat Club.



Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Ona Floyd Pearsall; a daughter, Mrs. William F. Kayhoe, of Richmond, three sons, Robert E. Pearsall, Jr., and Thomas C. Pearsall, both of Richmond, and William J. Pearsall, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; a brother, Kirby F. Pearsall, of Richmond, an aunt and five grandchildren.



A funeral service will be held at 3 P. M. Wednesday at the home, with burial in Hollywood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be H. T. Wagener, R. W. Johnson, J. H. Newcomb, R. H. Smith, T. W. Noel, T. H. Oxenham, C. C. Davis and C. W. Wilson. Employees of James McGraw, Inc., will be honorary pallbearers.

Source: Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond, VA, July 13, 1954 (p7, c1&2)



Note: Robert Edward Pearsall was born in Kenansville, Duplin County, NC on 18 May 1894. He was the son of Joseph Fletcher Pearsall and Elizabeth (Minnie) Bryan Fennell.



Robert Edward Pearsall and Ona Rena Floyd were married in Washington, D. C. on 4 July 1916. She was from Nashville, Nash Co, NC, daughter of William J. Floyd and Joseph Della Rackley.



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