Flora Sophia Pearson

Flora Sophia Pearson passed away suddenly on January 27, 2025. She would have celebrated her 30th birthday on August 2.

The beloved daughter of Michael and Laura Pearson of Oxford, Ohio, was born in Urbana, Ill. She attended Woodland Elementary School in Portage, Mich., then Talawanda Middle and High School in Oxford, graduating in 2014. She later attended Miami University in Hamilton. Flora was employed by the University of Cincinnati.

Flora is survived by one sister, Paige Pearson of Oxford, and two brothers, Anthony Pearson of Caledonia, Mich. and Thomas Pearson of DeWitt, Mich.

Her grandparents were Glenn and Ruby Pearson of DeWitt, Mich. and William and Ruth Beckerson of Vulcan, Mich.

Flora lived in Cincinnati and happily shared her last two years with her partner, Maizy Bleu. They enjoyed many fun-filled adventures together, both through travel and mutual interests.

“You were truly one of a kind,” said Maizy. “Your sense of wonder was like a ball of sunshine. You always brightened every room you went into. On your bad days, I would do everything I could to make you smile and laugh. I will take care of things from here. You don’t have to worry or fight anymore. You can rest easy. I will take care of our little family. You have my heart, forever and always.”

A ball of creative energy and light in a dark world, Flora had a unique way of seeing the world of nature. Her fascination and knowledge of insects surprised so many around her. Flora's collection of Legos was only rivaled by her massive collection of Nintendo video games and systems.

Being an extrovert, she delighted in hanging out with her friends. Flora wrote and illustrated a webcomic entitled “Butterflies”.

She touched numerous lives with her humor, loyalty, kindness and love. She relentlessly strived to be the true person she knew she was.

Said her sister, Paige, “There are no words to describe the gaping hole your death has left in my life. You were my best friend and the best little sister I could ever ask for. We got mistaken for twins so often because we looked and acted so similarly. I can’t imagine a world with you not in it. You were so bright and loving, you didn’t deserve this. I’m going to try to honor your legacy and life every day the way you did … goofy, passionate and full of life. I love you so much.”

She was described by her friends as “one of a kind”, a “best friend”, as having a “radiant soul” and “a profound impact on our lives”, and for “shining a bright light in our community”.

One of Flora’s very first childhood friends and a person she would never forget was her best buddy, Mandeep.

“Being six and awkward, it was so hard for me to make friends when we moved to Kalamazoo,” Mandeep said. “Thank you so much for saying ‘hi’ from across the street and wanting to be my best friend. Gonna miss you so much. You showed me what true strength is.”

Said another friend, “Flora’s warmth, strength and kindness left an unforgettable mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.”  

“Flora was an absolute joy to know and to be friends with,” said another. “I’m going to cherish these memories with her for the rest of my life.”

Yet another companion said, “Spending time with Flora always made my weeks go by easier. She was a truly wonderful person who I’m glad I had in my life.”

“She helped me gain a new perspective on the world because she saw things in her own unique way,” said another. “I’ll always cherish the memories that I got to share with her.”

“Flora was the perfect name because I enjoyed watching her flourish into the person she became,” said a friend. “I was so happy to see her grow into herself over the years and to finally see her live life as the woman she was.”

“Flora, you always were a ray of sunshine in my life,” remembered another of her acquaintances. “Whenever I saw your bright smile, it would fill my heart with such joy. Happiness beamed out of you. You made me feel special. You made me feel important and I hope I always made you feel the same way in return.”

“There are no words to encapsulate how devastating of a loss it is to this world to lose Flora,” said a childhood friend. “She had so much to do. It meant so much to me when she started talking about the future and the things she wanted to do and see. We all know that no one can be replaced … and especially not Flora. I plan to do everything in my power to keep her memory alive for as long as I’m alive.”

Flora’s family and friends promise to continue her fight so that her brief time on earth will never be forgotten.

Two Celebration of Life services are scheduled for Flora. For her Oxford/Cincinnati friends, that service will be held at the Hueston Woods State Park Lodge Fireside Room (5201 Lodge Road, Camden, Ohio, about five miles north of Oxford) on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, beginning at 11:30 a.m. For her family and friends in Michigan, this service will be held at Pilgrim Global Methodist Church (2965 W. Parks Road, St. Johns, Michigan) on Saturday, May 31st, 2025, beginning at 11 a.m. After a lunch at the church, Flora's body will be interred in a family plot at South Bingham Cemetery (1324 W. Taft Road, St. Johns, Michigan).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that those interested might consider a donation in Flora Pearson's name to the Heartland Trans Wellness Group https://www.transwellness.org/, a Cincinnati, Ohio based project dedicated to creating accessible, affirming community resources for Midwestern trans, queer and LGBTQPIA people. Another possible ministry to consider would be your own local homeless shelter organizations. 

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