Charles Cohen Pearson, age 4, a resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, passed away tragically at his home in Fort Walton Beach on July 25, 2010. Cohen was born on September 24, 2005, raised in Mississippi, and recently moved with his parents to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to attend a school for children suffering from autism spectrum disorders, the Emerald Coast Autism Center. Graveside services will be held at Magnolia Cemetery in Greenville, AL, on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. James Balliet officiating and Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home directing.
Cohen was the only child of Chad Craven Pearson and Kelly Elizabeth Pearson. Cohen is survived on his mother’s side by grandparents: Jan and Greg Hartsell, Deatsville, AL; Mike and Frieda McPherson, Eufaula, AL; great-grandparents: Corrie Taylor, Greenville, AL; Helen McPherson, Greenville, AL; uncle: Chris McPherson, Prattville, AL. Cohen is survived on his father’s side by grandparents: Cristen and Robert Barnard, Senitobia, MS; Sherrill and Kelley Pearson, Madison, MS; great-grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Craven, Lyon, MS; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Barnard, Sr.; uncles: Robert Barnard, III, New Orleans, LA; Joseph Christopher Barnard, Senitobia, MS; aunts: Rachael (Kevin) Lux, University City, MO; Lindsay Barnard, Phoenix, AZ.
Friends and family are invited to attend visitation services on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 1:00 to 2:45 p.m. at Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home. Cohen will be buried alongside Kelly’s grandfather, Charles Taylor, at Magnolia Cemetery directly across the street from the funeral home.
The board of directors at Cohen’s school have started a scholarship fund in Cohen’s name. It will be a financial needs scholarship for students who can’t afford the incredible benefits Cohen’s family have seen firsthand from this incredible school. Donations should be sent to: Emerald Coast Autism Center, Cohen Pearson Scholarship, 200 N. Partin Drive, Niceville, FL 32578. Also, donations can be made on-line through Paypal at www.ecautismcenter.org.