Rev. W. Irvin Pearre, Jr. (“Bubber”) as he was affectionately called by his family was born in Augusta, Georgia on August 6, 1939. He was the son of Grace H. and Walter Irvin Pearre, Sr.

Irvin gave his life to Christ at the age of 7 and his call to ministry came shortly after. He was 11 years old when he first served as “song leader” alongside his grandfather, Pastor Leroy Harris, at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia.

Irvin married Sarah Euphemia Beall on August 17, 1958 in Augusta, Georgia. Following their wedding, they moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi where he attended and graduated from William Carey University.

Irvin and Euphemia have four children, Roy, Terrye, Melody and Andy; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

             Irvin faithfully served Christ throughout his life serving in several churches as Minister of Music, Youth, Senior Adults and Pastoral Care, as well as Associate Pastor. He was the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church Jonesboro for more than 20 years and was the originator of FBC Jonesboro’s Living Christmas tree which was performed for more than 15 years consecutively.

             Irvin had a firm set of beliefs when it came to music- well really that was true about most things in his life. These rules about music became legendary and to this day you can still find a former choir member who can quote some of them! In order to achieve the “Pearre sound” you were told “to run the music through your heart before you let it come out of your mouth.”  Most importantly, though, was his firm-held belief that every part of a worship service was to point to God and the response time so that others would come to know Him. This theme ran throughout every phase of his ministry. Whether it be a musical presentation, a youth gathering, a wedding or funeral service, cooking his infamous annual BBQs and, later, his annual trips to Pigeon Forge for the Celebrators Conference, everything was about pointing others to Christ!

             Somehow it seems so appropriate, that his final role was that of Minster of Pastoral Care at First Baptist Church Jonesboro.

             If Irvin weren’t serving others, you would likely find him in the garden or his yard. He loved working the earth and found great joy in nurturing it to produce beautiful flowers and wonderful vegetables. He lived out the quote that “One is nearer God's heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth.”

             From a young age, Irvin had a deep affection for horses. It was a passion he shared with his father and passed along to his children. While on staff at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton, Irvin even joked that he wanted to name his horses, “Church Business” and “Visitation.” That way when people would call for him at the church, they could honestly say that he was out on either Church Business or Visitation!

             Irvin’s love of animals extended to dogs as well. He bred Collies and later Cocker Spaniels. However, Glory, his precious, spoiled-rotten Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (a gift from his choir, The Glory Singers) was without question his favorite fur-baby.

             Irvin passed away peacefully on July 30, 2020 after an extended illness. While we weep for ourselves, we rejoice for Irvin! He was born again and now lives forever! Not because he was a Pearre, or a minister, or an American, or a Baptist, or a church member, or was baptized, or said and did kind things for more than six decades for thousands of people. Irvin lives forever because he was a sinner saved by grace. Irvin’s life consistently showed the world what Jesus looks like, shouting Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”    We praise God for the life and witness of Irvin Pearre. To God alone be all the glory.

             Irvin was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis & John Steed, Jr.; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sandra & Ralph Williams; several aunts and uncles; a nephew and two nieces; and his grandson, Kenny Allred. He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Euphemia Pearre; children: Wendell Roy (Anita) Pearre of Jonesboro, Terrye P. (Steve) Janney of Newnan, Melody P. (Scott) Allred of Jonesboro and Andy (Gloria) Pearre of Jonesboro; aunt: Ruth Harris of Augusta; grandchildren: Whitney (Todd) Tilley, Stephanie (Kerry) Lee, Madeline (Cory) Carter, Emily Allred, Jeremy Allred, Bo Allred, Jack Allred, Deandre Allred, Sam Allred and Lily Allred; great-grandchildren: Hayden Lee, Eli Tilley, Carleigh Tilley and Wyatt Lee; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.