Sherry Faye Maltbie-Pearson

Dec. 15, 1946 - Nov. 5, 2025
Sherry Pearson, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, businesswoman and service club leader, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 in Los Banos, CA.

Born Sherry Faye Maltbie to Otha Kenneth Maltbie and Beulah Bocox in Turlock, CA on Dec. 15, 1946, she was a bright and accomplished student.

Sherry attended Turlock High School, where she was involved in many activities, including forensics, Future Homemakers of America (serving as president), the Commercial Club and Tri-T (a student service club). She was also the Student Body Social Commissioner, served on the Rally Committee, was a Winter Princess attendant and was named an Asilomar Honor Student.

Sherry lived in Los Banos from 1969 to 1971 and again from 1978 to the present. She was a stay-at-home mom while her children were little. She was an excellent cook, baker and homemaker. Her home was always decorated impeccably for each season and holiday. When her children were in high school, she started working at the Los Banos Racquet Club, where she managed the pro shop. She loved playing tennis and golf.

In the early 1990s, Sherry started working at Leighton's Jewelers, and after Hugh Miller, the owner, was killed in a car accident, his family approached her to buy the store. She continued her education and became a gemologist, something Hugh had encouraged her to do, and which served her well in her business. Sherry has owned Pearson's Jewelers since 1996. Her eye for design and knowledge of stones and metals made Pearson's Jewelers a well-respected business in Los Banos.

Sherry and James (Jim) Pearson were married in January of 1991 and were together until his death in 2018. They worked side by side at the store. Although everyone in town assumed that Jim owned the store, Sherry was quick to make it known, when given the opportunity, that the store was hers! Sherry was attending jewelry shows with her granddaughters Alyson and Paige as recently as last August when they went to Palm Springs. She was still going to work Tuesdays through Fridays up until her hospitalization Oct. 15.

Sherry was also well known and respected for her work and leadership in the Soroptimist Club as an active member for more than 30 years. She was president of the Los Banos club numerous times, as well as holding various other club positions. For example, in 2023-24 she served as the parliamentarian. She especially enjoyed working on the "Dream It, Be It" events as well as spearheading the annual See's Candy fundraisers. Her work in Soroptimists extended beyond Los Banos. She served as the Sierra Pacific Region Governor and was a member of the Soroptimist Laurel Society Inner Circle.

Sherry served on the Board of Directors of Soroptimist International of the Americas, where she built lasting friendships with people across the country and abroad as well. She loved traveling across the country and internationally, because the work of supporting women and girls was a cause she felt deeply about.

Sherry is preceded in death by her husband Jim Pearson, who doted on her. Jim enjoyed telling anyone who would listen about what a good cook she was, even if it was only a salad that she made! They had great times together, playing tennis and golf, traveling and especially going on cruises.

Sherry is also preceded in death by her beloved father, her mother and her sister Kathy Maltbie. She is survived by her sister Carol Ann Blagg of Oklahoma; her children Tammy (Steve) Davenport-Kent, of Fresno and Erik (Jennifer) Davenport, of Fresno; her grandchildren Alyson, Paige, Kelli, Rees, Meghan, and Hanna; and by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by Sophia, her beloved Yorkie, a canine companion who brought her so much joy and provided much needed company after Jim's passing.

Although Sherry's absence leaves a deep void, her family takes comfort in knowing her pain has ended, her body has been renewed to its youth by Christ, and they will all be reunited with her in heaven one day.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Los Banos Memorial Hospital for their kindness and excellent care for their mother, and the same for the staff of New Bethany during her short stay there.

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