Pearl E. Jacobson
January 30, 1925 - November 12, 2013
Obituary
Pearl E. Jacobson
Pearl Evangeline Jacobson was born in Seattle, Washington on January 30, 1925 to Frank and Josephine Watrous. She joined her husband Byron in Heaven on the morning of November 12, 2013.
Pearl’s mother was an early pioneer to Seattle, moving here after graduating from business school in Chicago. Her father was a craftsman, and built many homes in the Seattle area. She had one brother, Arthur. Pearl enjoyed the love of her older brother and cherished her time with him. She enjoyed spending holidays, and time in Lincoln City, with Arthur, his wife Dottie, and their daughter Dorene. All of the members of the Watrous family played an instrument. Art played the trombone, Pearl the violin, her mother played the baritone, and her father played the cornet. Pearl instilled the love of music to her own children. They also played instruments. Ardelle played the violin, Byron played the trumpet, Curt played the clarinet, Doug played the baritone, and Elysia played the flute. Byron and Elysia also played the piano. The Jacobson family continued the tradition of playing at Penial Mission on Sunday afternoons. Coming from a large extended family, Pearl had many cousins. She is survived by her two favorite, John and Les Bjorkstam. As children they spent most weekends together, and remained close throughout their adult lives. John has always said she was his favorite cousin, and loved her best, even if she could beat him at running. Les and Pearl shared a love of shopping at thrift stores, especially the Warm Beach Thrift Store. Whenever the three of them were together there was always a lot of laughing and reminiscing.
After Pearl graduated from Franklin High School, she attended Seattle Pacific College for a year. She then studied at Simpson Bible College and Bob Jones College before graduating from Seattle Pacific. At Bob Jones College, while attending a music concert, Pearl thought she recognized the tall, bass singer in the back row, and was trying to remember his name. She was confused when the singers introduced themselves because the guy next to Byron introduced himself as Byron Jacobson. Thinking quickly, Byron then introduced himself as Frank Davenport. After the concert Pearl found Byron, and in their conversation the two realized they knew each other from their early days at Seattle Pacific. After a long distance courtship, Byron and Pearl were married on July 17, 1948. Byron completed his studies at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky with a Masters of Divinity.
Pearl and Byron felt called to the Free Methodist denomination in the Oregon conference, and the first church they pastored was a small church in Corvallis, Oregon. Byron and Pearl had a Scottie dog named Miggs. They treated her like their child. The parishioners were happy when Pearl finally had their first child, Ardelle. While in Corvallis they also had a second child, a son, Byron. They then moved to Redmond, Oregon where their third child Curtis was born. After six years of ministry they moved to Bend where Douglas and Elysia were born.
Pearl held all of the natural talents that a pastor’s wife could bring to a team. She was a talented musician who had mastered the violin, could accompany anyone on the piano, and was amazing on the organ. Pearl was kept especially busy using her talents as an accompanist at weddings, as well as services that Byron would be asked to perform. Together Pearl and Byron were a ministry team that blended their gifts and talents to serve the Lord. She and Byron finished their ministerial service in Portland, Oregon.
Pearl was also a natural athlete, and enjoyed swimming, skiing, tennis , bicycle rides, and running. She excelled at Double Dutch jump rope, and would even skip kelp ropes at the beach. She would take all five of her kids up skiing and to the family nights at the community pool. Along with athletics she loved games, especially Yahtzee and dominoes. She also enjoyed playing ping pong and at all family gatherings there was the traditional game of round robin ping pong.
Pearl and Byron enjoyed spending time on the Oregon Coast at their cabin in Lincoln City where Pearl enjoyed walking the beach and eating clam chowder at Moe’s. Her favorite game on the beach was Fox and Geese. She could outrun most everyone she talked into playing the game with her.
Her playful nature was still with her when she moved to Warm Beach Senior Community where she enjoyed being around friends from her college days as well as meeting new friends. She loved taking long walks in the woods and down to the beach with her little dogs. It was hard for her to find a walking partner that could keep up with her. She will be remembered for her contagious smile and spontaneous laugh.
Pearl is survived by her children Ardelle Jacobson, Byron Jacobson, Curt (Janice) Jacobson, Douglas Jacobson and Elysia (Randy) Sorley; her grandchildren Joel Jacobson, Nicholas Jacobson, Ashlie Adams, Alexander Adams and Joshua Sorley; her cousins John (Gwen) Bjorkstam and Les (Marge) Bjorkstam; and her niece Dorene Turner and family.
The family would like to thank Warm Beach Cedar Court and Nursing Care staff members and Hospice for their warm and loving care for Pearl. Remembrances can be made to a ministry of your choice, the Oregon Conference of the Free Methodist Church, Evergreen Hospice, or to Warm Beach Senior Community.
I am so grateful that God gave me to mom in June of 1952..
I look forward to the day when we will be re-united in Heaven with
Christ our Lord and so many of our other family members.
They Where my pastor when I was but a child at midway free methodist
Mrs. Jacobson taught my sister Nicole and I piano lessons for many years. Our Grandparents, who raised us, would make sure we attended every week at their home which at the time was located near Franklin High School and Dairy Queen in SE Portland. Pearl and Byron were both wonderful people and really made our childhood special. We would always play the game “Caroms” with Byron while the other was taking lessons. Pearl, rest easy and thank you both for all the wonderful years and everything you did for my sister and I.
When I think of what it looks like to live out the life of Jesus here on earth,I think of Byron and Pearl.Every thing they did here on earth was a wonderful example of being disciples.They came into my life when they became friends with my parents,Guy and Pauline Booth. Byron and my Dad loved to go fishing together. When we were all together we laughed,cried,prayed and worshiped the Lord.I learned so much from them.To think of Byron and Pearl in Heaven together,especially at this Thanksgiving season warms my heart and soul. I look forward to finishing my work on earth,and being with them and my family in Heaven.
pearl was a awesome christian lady.i enjoyed pearl and byron at my grandparents bible study.my grandpa and byron enjoyed fishing at lake harriett.i’ll be praying for the family.we all know how much they loved all thier children!
sincerely;justin
WHAT FOND MEMORIES OF PEARL & HER HUSBAND BYRON SERVING GOD IN ANY WAY THEY COULD, ALWAYS WILLING TO BREAK OUT WITH SONGS OF FAVORITE HYMNS ANY TIME OF DAY AND TO FELLOWSHIP. WHAT A VIBRANT SPIRIT AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GOD SHE WAS. SHE WAS UNSELFISH WITH ALL SHE HAD,
ALWAYS WILLING TO DISTRIBUTE WHAT CAME IN THE FRONT DOOR FOR THEM TO USE, FINDING A MORE NEEDY SITUATION AND OUT THEIR BACK DOOR IT WOULD GO. MISSING HER FONDLY, UNITL WE MEET AGAIN.
We enjoyed living near Byron and Pearl while we pastored the First Free Methodist Church on 50th and Lincoln in Portland, OR. Also, enjoyed times of fellowship at conference activities. Pearl gave some of our children piano lessons so we had the opportunity to chat and get better acquainted with them. They were very special people.
I’m missing my mom so much right now! I wish I could pick up the phone and tell her about my Christmas program preparations at school. She had such a love for music and I’m forever grateful she passed that love and passion for music on to me.
My parents are now together worshipping our Heavenly Father. So glad that our separation is just temporary.
i didn’t know pearl but i do know what itis like to loose a mom i am so sorry
Pearl and Byron Jacobson are deeply and fondly imbedded in the fabric of my youth. Friends of my parents, Gene and Barbara Peck, we spent many times together in Bend and in Portland. Pearl’s violin was a fascination to me and I was always intrigued of the duets that she and Ardelle would play. Pearl’s inclusive and gracious spirit made friends of strangers, brought encouragement to many. Blessings and belated condolences to Ardelle, Byron Dale, Curt, Doug and Elysia.
Pearl was my best friends mother and she was also my piano teacher. I was very lucky to have known her. She made a big impression in my life and she will be missed.