Carol Joyce Pearson, age 80, of Elgin, IL, passed away on May 6, 2025. She was born July 21, 1944 in Elgin, IL to her loving parents, Clarence and Grace (née Mueller) Thies.

Carol graduated from Elgin High School, Class of 1962. She did payroll and bookkeeping for eight years before taking on her favorite role as a stay-at-home mom.

Carol’s father introduced her to a young man, Kenneth, who worked with him. They dated, and then wed, and were married 55 years. Together they raised two children.

Those who knew Carol were well aware that she was not a fan of technology. She “didn’t know where the ON button of a computer was.” But they also knew she was very crafty with her hands. As a child, she learned how to play the accordion. As an adult, she picked up the needle, from sewing clothes and knitting accessories for her family, to embroidery, needlepoint, and cross-stitch. She was also a self-taught cake decorator. She planned beautiful cakes for her children’s birthday parties, which often meant a trip to the Ackemann’s Department Store in downtown Elgin to purchase a new Wilton cake pan if she couldn’t repurpose one she already had. Her talent shone and she was often asked to make celebration cakes for extended family members and friends, as well. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. If anyone needed a specific recipe, chances were that she would have that exact recipe or maybe something even better, especially if it was snack recipe, or had anything to do with zucchini or rhubarb.

Carol had a green thumb, growing houseplants and tending her outside flowerbeds. She was always a reader, but rediscovered the pleasure of reading during Covid. She enjoyed cozy mysteries, romance novels, women’s fiction, and the occasional biography or autobiography. She also liked solving sudoku and word-fill-in puzzles (with a pen, of course!) In the 70’s and 80’s, when she was a stay-at-home mom, she enjoyed watching the soaps, especially One Life to Live and General Hospital. When her children grew older, they enjoyed watching game shows together. She also loved watching or listening to the Cubs games. As a third generation Cubs fan, she had the privilege the first two generations did not … watching the Cubs win the World Series! In her later years, she also began listening to the Blackhawks games. In addition to sports, she enjoyed listening to Tradio on WRMN during the 70’s and 80’s, and later to WGN. Her favorite segment was the speed jokes that began during Covid.

Carol was very spry during her later years. People were often impressed when they learned her morning routine included 50 sit-ups and toe touches.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother, Melvin; infant daughter, Cheryl; and infant son, Timothy. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Pearson; children, Kristina Pearson and Laurence (Amy) Pearson; siblings, Janet (Mike) Allman and Louis (Bev) Thies; sisters-in-law, Judy Belcher and Ruby Pearson; granddaughters, Claire Pearson and Charlotte Pearson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120.

Visitation will continue from 10:30am to funeral service at 11:30 am, Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Pastor Andrea Delaney will be officiating.

Interment to follow at Lakewood Memorial Park, 30W730 U.S. Hwy. 20, Elgin, IL 60120.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.