Alvin A. Pearis

Alvin Pearis, Sr. was born July 9, 1936 in Cannelton, West Virginia. He is the son of a coal miner, Elbert Pearis, and a fourth grade school teacher, Garnett Anderson Pearis. Alvin was educated in the Kanawha County West Virginia School System. He graduated from Booker T. Washington in London, West Virginia in 1952 when he was 15 years old.  

Then, Alvin attended West Virginia State College in Institute, West Virginia. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Architectural Engineering at 19 years old.  

He then entered the military as a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1956 and served until December 1960. He was employed by the U. S. Government by the Department of Health Education and Welfare in January 1961. He worked in various federal programs including Head Start and Child Welfare.  

Alvin met Joyce Jackson, his wife, in the summer of 1965 and they were married on November 25th of that same year. From this marriage came Alvin, Jr. and Kirsten. 

Alvin and his family joined Emmanuel  Baptist Church in the 70’s where he later became a Deacon. Alvin served as Chairman of the Deacon Ministry for 10 years.  

He retired from the Federal Government in 1991. He enjoyed being active in the church and the community. He also enjoyed bowling, singing, and trivia. Alvin also loved to spend time with his grandchildren, Pearis, Paul and Alisa.

The family will have a private funeral with military honors to honor Alvin’s service to our country.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alvin’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102.